| The Commission has adopted the multiannual programme under the European Return Fund 2008-2013 for Estonia for an estimated amount of € 3 million, together with the first annual programme (2008). Vice President Jacques BARROT in charge of the Justice, Freedom and Security portfolio, welcomed the adoption of the first multiannual programme for the implementation of the European Return Fund. "With the approval of this multiannual programme, Estonia has shown its commitment towards an integrated and balanced system of return management, which highlights both the cooperation between Member States and the compliance with the returnees' fundamental rights. I am confident that all national programmes implementing the European Return Fund will reinforce the capacity of Estonia to deal with the sustainable voluntary return operations and foster common standards and practices in the area of returns." Estonia has chosen to implement three of the Fund's strategic priorities: - Development of a strategic approach to return management;
- Cooperation between Member States in return management;
- Support for Community standards and best practices on return management.
Among the projects financed in the 2008 annual programme in Estonia are: - Promoting the sustainable voluntary return by developing return related consultation and support systems. The general objective of this action is to increase the knowledge regarding return-related opportunities and increase the support among the target group.
- Development of special measures for the return of vulnerable persons including the provision of support based on individual needs.
Background: The European Return Fund is one of the four financial instruments of the General Programme on "Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows" which encourages a fair share of responsibilities between Member States arising from the introduction of integrated management of the external borders and from the implementation of common policies on asylum and immigration. The other three Funds are: the European Fund for the Integration of Third country nationals, the External Borders Fund and the European Refugee Fund. The European Return Fund establishes a financial solidarity mechanism to support the efforts of Member States to improve the management of return in all its dimensions through the use of the concept of integrated return management, with a preference to voluntary return and with a view to supporting a fair and effective implementation of common standards on return. The Fund will also support joint return actions including several Member States.
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