A brand new funding instrument was proposed by the European
Commission in response to the refugee crisis as flows continue and FYROM
border with Greece is de facto closed.
Christos Stylianides,
European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management
presented the proposal earlier today. The legislation proposal provides
for an initial budget of €700 million from 2016-2018 and is expected to
be accepted“immediately” by the European Council with a qualified
majority of Member States voting in favour,and with European Parliament
playing a role only in terms of amending the budget.
“With the needs getting bigger, these efforts are not enough, Numbers
rise, so do humanitarian needs”, said Stylianides, while presenting the
new Emergency Assistance instrument for faster crisis response within
the EU, underlining that European Commission will address the
humanitarian needs by responding decisively and immediately. The
European Commission’s proposal aims to provide basic needs of refugees,
such as food, healthcare, shelter, clean water.
“It is very important to have full acceptance to the fact that the
solution of this newfound crisis should be European”Stylianides
stressed, emphasizing also to Turkey’s role, at the crisis, after EC
spokesperson Margaritis Schinas announced that 308 migrants are being
returned to Turkey, as part of the implementation of the agreement
between Greece and Turkey, for the first time.
The plan does not only apply to Greece, but to any Member State that
applies for it, said Stylianides, while explaining the timing of the
financing, with €300 million to cover 2016 needs, €200 million for 2017
and another €200 million for 2018. However, EU officials are not ready
to answer where this €700 million will come from “We will deploy the
money from existing headings”, said an EU source, while avoiding to be
more specific. “We have the money, we will not touch the Multiannual
Financial Framework”, another EU source confirms.
On the decision making process, this legislation does not only apply
to refugee crisis, but is a frame that will be used whenever disaster
strikes. “We cannot afford adopting new legislation every time”, the
source underlined. European Commission officials stressed that there is
understanding from the European Parliament on the need of fast track
legislation and that in 2 weeks the amended budget will be set. The
Emergency assistance tool would be provided in close coordination with
Member States and organisations such as UN agencies, non-governmental
organisations and international organisations. “100% coverage of the
applied costs is possible”, the EU source confirmed.
http://neurope.eu/article/new-emergency-assistance-instrument-to-provide-e700-million-on-refugee-crisis-and-first-returns-to-turkey/