Brussels, 24/08/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the European Commission announced that it was earmarking some EUR 30 mil to Morocco to help it stem illegal immigration, strengthen border controls and combat human trafficking. EU External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said that immigration was a crucial issue in terms of the future and well-being of Africans and Europeans. In a press release, she explained that managing migration was a priority both for the EU and for Morocco and the EU acknowledged that Morocco has already done work in this field. She personally committed herself to ensuring that up to 3% of EU funding for 'neighbouring' countries is dedicated to managing immigration. The Commission has decided to boost EU funding to Morocco on immigration, with the new funding coming on top of the EUR 40 mil granted in 2003 for the initial border management programme. The Moroccan government's new emergency institutional development support programme and updating of its immigration strategy is divided into several strands: institutional strengthening of the resources of the Moroccan Interior Ministry's immigration and border surveillance department; improving the legal framework; upgrading fixed border posts; and increasing criminal investigation capacity. Morocco often argues that the signing of a readmission agreement with the EU is closely connected with financial matters - such an agreement has not yet been concluded.