Brussels, 30/10/2003 (Agence Europe) - On the initiative of the European Commission Directorate General for Justice and Home Affairs, a conference on the European Refugee Fund is taking place in Brussels on 30 and 31 October, according to a Commission press release.
The press release states that the initial phase of implementation of the Fund will finish on 31 December 2004, and that the Commission intends to present a proposal on a legal basis for a new instrument by the end of the year, which could be operational as of 1 January 2005. The Fund was set up by a Council decision of 28 September 2000, with an indicative budget of 216 million EUR over five years. The press release states that the object of the Fund is to consolidate operationally and financially the principle of solidarity between Member States in the implementation of a common asylum policy. The Fund covers measures concerning the reception, integration and returns of refugees and asylum seekers, and those receiving subsidiary or temporary protection in a Member State.