BRUSSELS —The European Parliament on Wednesday approved two funds, with a total budget of 16 billion euros ($19 billion), to help manage migration flows, ease integration of third-country nationals and improve border management.

The 2021-2027 Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund will receive 9.88 billion euros to strengthen the EU’s common asylum policy, develop legal migration in line with member states’ needs, support the integration of third-country nationals, and contribute to the fight against irregular migration.

With a 6.24 billion euros budget over seven years, the Integrated Border Management Fund is intended to help strengthen EU external border management while ensuring fundamental rights are respected. The fund will also contribute to a common, harmonized visa policy, and introduce protective measures for vulnerable people arriving in Europe, in particular unaccompanied children. — WAM