EU approves Turkey migration fund as Italy drops objections

BRUSSELS - Reuters

European Union countries approved on Feb. 3 funds for Turkey to help refugees and migrants in the country in exchange for Ankara ensuring fewer of them venture out towards Europe .

All 28 EU countries signed off on the proposal at a meeting in Brussels on Feb. 3 after Italy dropped its opposition to the plan, which was first approved in November. 

The bloc's executive European Commission welcomed the decision. 

"Turkey now hosts one of the world's largest refugee communities and has committed to significantly reducing the numbers of migrants crossing into the EU," said Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement. 

"The Facility for Refugees in Turkey will go straight to the refugees, providing them with education, health and food. The improvement of living conditions and the offering of a positive perspective will allow refugees to stay closer to their homes." 

The fund is to be worth 3 billion euros. Brussels and Berlin hope it will help lower the number of arrivals in Europe after more than a million people reached the continent last year, with figures showing little signs of falling this year. 

Europe's worst migration crisis since World War Two has put strain on security and social systems in some EU states and became a top political priority for governments as it fuels support for anti-migration groups, nationalists and populists. 

The EU would provide 1 billion euros from its own budget, twice as much as initially planned in November. The rest is to come from 28 governments, with Germany being the top contributor at 427.5 million euros in 2016. 

Britain would follow with this year's contribution of 327.6 million euros, France at 309.2 million euros, Italy at 224.9 million euros and Spain at 152.8 million euros, according to figures provided by the European Commission.