S&D Euro MPs today have successfully prevented the Conservative’s attempts to divert part of the aid of the European Development Fund into the management of migration flows within the context of the current refugee crisis.
 
The S&D Group rapporteur, Iris Hoffmann, stated:
 
"The European Development Fund supports efforts in developing countries to improve socio-economic structures. It makes a vital contribution to tackling the root causes of the refugee crisis by supporting the sustainable development of those countries from which many people are fleeing.
 
"It is unacceptable that EU funds which aim to effectively combat the causes of migration risk being abused under the guise of the current refugee crisis. That is why we reject the call of the European People's Party to devote 25% of the European Development Fund for 2014-2020 on measures to combat the migration crisis and on the management of existing migration flows, including border security and repatriation of refugees.
 
"I am pleased that a broad cross-party majority in Parliament has followed my position."