Brussels, 21/10/2005 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission, taking up the proposal of the Maltese government, has proposed the creation of an emergency fund of 20 million EUR to come to the aid of countries facing a growing influx of illegal immigrants onto their territory. "The Commission wishes to show solidarity with the growing problem of illegal immigration, all that remains for us to do now is to make sure that the creation of this fund is legally and financially possible", said Commissioner Franco Frattini. This proposal comes in the wake of the announcement made on 17 October by Commissioner Frattini of his impending visit to the capital cities of the European Union to discuss this issue (EUROPE 9051). The proposal to create an emergency fund will be presented to the Justice and Home Affairs Council of 2 December. If the timetable is adhered to, the emergency fund will be mobilised at the beginning of next summer, just before the immigration peaks start again. At the time being, no clarification has been applied to the sums to be allocated to each Member State. What is certain, however, is that this emergency fund will be paid for entirely by the European Refugee Fund (ERF), which is currently allocated a budget of 50 million EUR per annum. This emergency financial assistance stems from the European policy in the field of asylum, immigration and borders, provided for by The Hague Programme of 2004. From 2007 onwards, the States having to tackle illegal immigration will receive greater aid from the EU, as the ERF fund will reach a level in excess of one billion EUR for the period 2007-2013.