European Refugee Fund: period 2005-2010 (Decision 2000/596/EC)

PURPOSE: Decision renewing for the period 2005-2010 a European Refugee Fund.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2004/904/EC

CONTENT: The Council adopted a Decision renewing for the period 2005-2010 a European Refugee Fund in support of asylum policy measures taken by Member States.

The Fund, following on the financing during the period 2000-2004 will support actions for helping third-country nationals or stateless persons mainly as regards:

- reception conditions and asylum procedures;

- integration of persons whose stay in the Member State is of a lasting and stable nature; and

- voluntary return of persons provided they have not acquired a new nationality and have not left the territory of the Member State.

Projects in Member States will be implemented on the basis of multiannual programmes and priorities according to guidelines adopted by the Commission.

The financial reference amount for the implementation of the Fund for 2005 and 2006 is set at EUR 114 million.