Brussels, 25/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - The fledgling European volunteers' corps, which will be open to all European citizens wishing to volunteer to take part in EU humanitarian operations throughout the world, received the unbridled support of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 25 February. Following their rapporteur Michele Striffler (EPP, France), the MEPs adopted the legislation which will give this initiative a budget of €148 million for 2014-2020 and will allow nearly 4,000 volunteers - young people, experts or retired people - to be trained and deployed. The Commission will support initiatives to add value to the volunteers' experiences, particularly by means of certification after deployment. “The initiative will be launched before the end of the year”, announced a delighted Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva. (AN/transl.fl)