17/03/2022 (Agence Europe) – The national ambassadors of the Member States to the EU approved, on Wednesday 16 March, the negotiating mandate of the Council of the EU on a proposal amending the Home Affairs Fund 2014-2020 and the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2021-2027. The amendment, presented under a fast-track procedure, will allow member states to use unused funds urgently to deal with the influx of refugees from Ukraine and is expected to free up around €420 million in additional support, a statement said. The proposed text aims to extend the implementation period of the Home Affairs Fund 2014-2020 by one year and unblock access to unspent amounts of the Asylum and Migration Fund. It also gives Member States and other public or private donors the possibility to make additional financial contributions to the 2021-2027 fund, the statement added. (SP)