BRUSSELS
The European Union is to spend an additional €1 billion on tackling the crises in Syria and Iraq and the threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant over the next two years, the European Commission has announced.
The EU’s executive body said on Friday the package would fund relief for displaced people, stabilization and development, and countering the threat posed by militant groups like ISIL.
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said: ''We are now better equipped to do more together – with our member states, regional partners and the international community – in political and diplomatic terms as well as through aid and on security.''
The announcement comes two days after Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh was shown in a video apparently being burned alive inside a cage by ISIL militants.
'Common threats'
Mogherini added: ''The murder of Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh just days ago is further proof that terrorism has no boundaries and that Muslims are the first victims of Da'esh (ISIL).
"We face common challenges and common threats.''
The EU also plans to spend part of the package on education and vocational training for children and adolescents to address the root causes behind the rise of ISIL.
The bloc has already spent more than € 3.2 billion on the crisis in Syria.
The fighting in Syria has displaced more than 3.2 million people, many of whom have fled to Turkey, which hosts the largest refugee community from Syria, and to Jordan and Lebanon.
