DAB 5: additional resources to handle migration
Proposed in the wake of the drowning of 700 migrants in the Mediterranean in April (followed by the death of another 500 the following week) and further to votes in Parliament and the Council, draft amending budget (DAB) 5/2015 provides financial muscle for new policies to deal with migration and refugees heading for the European Union.
MEPs agreed to the DAB 5/2015 proposal, which would transfer €75.8 million in commitment appropriations and €69.6 in payment appropriations among others to the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders (Frontex), the European Police Office (Europol) and the European Asylum Support Office (EASO).
Although the boost means a tripling of resources available for the second half of 2015, budget MEPs still consider the hike insufficient to deal with the worsening crisis in the Mediterranean (4).
Juncker Plan, surplus, flood relief also approved
In parallel votes, the committee approved three other changes to the current budget, dealing with financial backing for the Juncker investment plan, EU help to repair flood damage, and the budgeting of the surplus carried over from 2014.
Next steps
Parliament as a whole votes on the DABs at its July session (6-9 July). The Council, which voted on DABs 3-5 on 19 June, will vote on DAB1 once the EFSI regulation is approved in Parliament.
REF. : 20150622IPR69261
