Brussels, 15/04/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 14 April, the Council of Ministers of the EU adopted without debate the four regulations establishing the new financing programmes in the field of home affairs within the framework of the multi-annual financial framework (MFF) for the period 2014-2020. The total financial envelope for the implementation of these programmes, for the period 2014-2020, is set at €6.9 billion in current prices.
The number of funds for the new period has been reduced from six to two: 1) the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, which will replace the European Refugee Fund and the Return Fund; 2) the Internal Security Fund (ISF), which will replace the External Borders Fund, the Prevention, Preparedness and Consequence Management of Terrorism and Other Security-Related Risks Programme and the Prevention of and Fight against Crime programme. The ISF has been divided into two programmes: ISF-Borders and ISF-Police.
The first regulation concerns the Asylum, Migration and Integration fund. With a budget of €3.1 billion, it will fund action aiming to reinforce all aspects of the common European asylum system, support legal migration and promote the effective integration of third-country nationals, enhance fair and effective return strategies in the member states and the solidarity and responsibility-sharing between the member states, in particular towards those most affected by migration and asylum flows.
The ISF is based on two regulations. The ISF-Borders regulation (€2.7 billion in total over seven years) will fund action to support a common visa policy to facilitate legitimate travel and fight illegal immigration, an integrated border management system and high levels of controls and protection on the external borders and the smooth crossing of the external borders.
The ISF-Police regulation (€1 billion) will support action related to crime prevention, combating cross-border, serious and organised crime including terrorism, and reinforcing cooperation between law enforcement authorities.
The fourth regulation (the “horizontal” regulation) relates to: - the financing of expenditure under national programmes, Union actions, emergency assistance, technical assistance, etc; - the programming process, including preparation, approval, review and structure; - the organisation of partnerships. The four regulations will enter into force on the day following publication in the Official Journal of the European Union and will apply from 1 January 2014. (LC)