The European Union is breaching its own guidelines by diverting hundreds of millions of euros intended for aid projects into attempts to keep out unwanted migrants, triggering a call for auditors to investigate.
The 27-member bloc agreed to spend only 10% of funds within its seven-year €79.5 billion development budget on efforts to curb unauthorized arrivals, a ceiling inserted by the European Parliament after fraught negotiations for the 2021-27 period.
But 14% was committed to “actions supporting management and governance of migration and forced displacement” in 2021 and 2022, according to a document seen by the Parliament’s development committee.
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About the author
Rob Merrick
Rob Merrick is the U.K. Correspondent for Devex, covering FCDO and British aid. He reported on all the key events in British politics of the past 25 years from Westminster, including the financial crash, the Brexit fallout, the "Partygate" scandal, and the departures of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. Rob has worked for The Independent and the Press Association and is a regular commentator on TV and radio. He can be reached at rob.merrick@devex.com.
