The European Commission has allocated €3.7 million to Malta to help the island integrate refugees and migrants.

The money will come from the European Fund for the integration of third country nationals.

EU Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot said the funds will help Malta in the implementation of a programme on the integration of third country nationals.

Malta said its four strategic priorities for the fund were:

1. Putting into practice the "Common Basic Principles for immigrant integration policy in the European Union";
2. Development of indicators and evaluation methodologies to assess progress, adjust policies and measures and to facilitate co-ordination of comparative learning;
3. Policy capacity building, co-ordination and intercultural competence building in the member states across the different levels and departments of government;
4. Exchange of experience, good practice and information on integration between the member states.