The European Parliament has voted for €10 billion to be dedicated to migration, with all political groups agreeing that the principle of solidarity and fair sharing of responsibility should serve as a legal basis for the proposed Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund.

The report was approved with 374 votes in favour.

The fund aims to address a number of objectives, included strengthening the Common European Asylum System, legal migration and social inclusion, solidarity and returns of persons who do not quality for protection. This also means that European regions and cities will also be given the necessary tools to address the challenges they face.

Labour MEP Miriam Dalli fought hard to bring together political groups and members of the European Parliament who believe in solidarity and that frontline countries like Malta should not be left on their own.

“I am extremely satisfied with the outcome of the vote. Had it been for the conservative forces, this fund would be spent in third countries and not within the EU, as is its aim. But today the European Parliament voted to support countries like Malta,” Dr Dalli said.

“Whilst we need a decisive and common policy, it is important to remember that financial support is essential when countries like Malta end up in situations that this country faced in the past months. For example, money from this fund can be used to support relocation measures from countries like Malta to other states.”

The European Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee earlier this week approved objections for funding to include controlled migration centres established by member states.

The European Commission had tried last December to widen the scope of activities eligible for funding, with the aim of supporting national authorities struggling to cope with asylum, migration and integration, particularly for reception and accommodation for asylum-seekers or migrants in irregular situations.