EU launches 1.8 bln Trust Fund to solve irregular migration in Africa

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker launched Thursday at the sidelines of an EU-Africa summit in Valletta, Malta, the EU's Emergency Trust Fund of 1.8 billion euro for stability and addressing root causes of irregular migration and displaced persons in Africa.
Juncker in a press statement said that "this Emergency Trust Fund for Africa, set up at a record speed, shows once more the EU's commitment to swiftly reply to the large challenges we are facing in the region. To succeed, we need to work together with other European countries and our partner countries in Africa in addressing the root causes of irregular migration and promoting economic and equal opportunities, security and development." The Fund represents an important instrument to effectively implement the Action Plan to be adopted at the Valletta Summit later today and will benefit the Sahel region and Lake Chad area; the Horn of Africa and the North of Africa, he noted. The Valletta Summit was called by the EU in April to discuss migration issues with African and other key countries concerned. The Emergency Trust Fund for Africa is one of the main result of this 2-day summit.