22/09/2015 (Agence Europe) - Loans worth €17 billion and new climate strategy. On Tuesday 22 September, the Board of the European Investment Bank (EIB) approved approved new loans of more than €17 billion. Of this sum, almost €7 billion will support strategic infrastructure (offshore windfarms off the UK and Belgian coasts, trains in Hungary, Spain, France, Germany, Bulgaria and Sweden, upgrading a German motorway link and improving high-speed internet connections in Portugal and Germany). A further €5.5 billion will go to small businesses and mid-cap companies across Europe and Africa. The remainder of the €17 billion will be reserved for seven new European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) infrastructure projects in Ukraine. The EIB's new climate action strategy consolidates the target of ensuring that at least 25% of its lending supports climate-related investment. The Board also made clear its willingness to help member states respond to the migration crisis, for example, in the short term, by financing modular lodgings for refugees. (JK)