Strasbourg, 14/04/2000 (Agence Europe) - Adopting the report by Pernille Frahm (GUE/NGL, Denmark), the European Parliament approved, in the framework of the simple consultation procedure, the creation of a European Refugee Fund, but specifying the conditions for intervention of this new instrument. The Parliament, who largely followed the Freedoms and Citizens rights Committee, adopted numerous amendments to the Council's proposal for a decision. These related to both the admission and integration conditions of the refugees, the psychological follow-up, but also the preparation of displaced persons for their return to their country of origin (see EUROPE of 8 April, p.10). However the plenary rejected an amendment that introduced an aid for the construction of churches, mosques or temples in view of encouraging the emancipation and integration of new minorities in the Member States of residence. The Parliament, preoccupied with the financing of this fund, called on the Commission to present financial estimates covering the whole duration of the programme covered by the present financial perspectives and to present, before the 31 March 2001, a proposal for revision of the credits and in needed, the financial prospects themselves.
During the debate the Commissioner Antinio Vitorino reminded that the fund was only destined at supporting the Member States projects to welcome refugees who are the object of pilot actions. Therefore it does not is any way concern the efforts that the Member States already undertake autonomously for the admission and integration of refugees. He said that he understood the bitterness of certain MEPs over the weakness of the planned financial effort, but the Commission intends proposing an allocation of EUR 45 million for the coming years. The total budgetary contribution will thus reach EUR 216 million over five years. The Fund will be able to cofinance the Member States actions to a maximum of 50% (75% for the cohesion fund countries). Urgent measures in case of a massive influx of refugees will thus also be able to be cofinanced. The Commissioner announced he being unable to accept the amendments relating to the budgetary aspects, amendments that would anyway by superfluous if the Council accepts the budgetary proposals made by the Commission. He also reminded that it concerned a fist experiment of decentralised and hoped that they avoid all things that could delay the implementation of the projects and also hoped that they do not dilute the financial means available by widening the scope of the fund to application countries (he was referring to the amendments foreseeing the funds support for experience exchanges and good practices with candidate countries).