Brussels, 07/05/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday, the European Commission is expected to launch the European plan for the return of Afghan refugees. With the adoption by written procedure of a "framework document", the Commission should be able to allow sums earmarked for this plan to be used. The Fifteen had foreseen that up to EUR 17-20 million from the Community budget could be used, but the Commission has to begin by releasing a smaller amount (EUROPE of 29 November 2002). The European plan for the return of Afghan refugees, approved on 28 November 2002 by the Council, may then be implemented. The plan provides for cooperation among the Fifteen, with the Afghan authorities and with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (HCR), in order to repatriate Afghan refugees from within the European Union. Initially return will be voluntary but, in time, the plan will allow forced return. By approving the plan last November, the Fifteen had allowed for the process of return to begin in April. Returns should begin during the month of May, Community sources say. Community funding will be used for assistance on the ground, as decided last November. Remaining costs (mainly the transport of persons repatriated to Afghanistan) will be borne by Member States. Amnesty International protested against this decision in advance (see p.12). On the Commission side, it is stressed that returns will be operated with the approval of the HCR, on a case by case basis, by the Member States.