(Ecofin Agency) - Italy’s minister of foreign affairs, Angelino Alfano, announced on January 30 that his country would launch a €200 million fund to fight human trafficking in Mediterranean and curb clandestine immigration from Africa.

“We will disburse €200 million to curb clandestine immigration and human trafficking,” he said in a statement. The official added in the same source that the financial mechanism will help “boost stability and security in Italy and Europe”.

According to French media RFI, half of the fund’s proceeds will be directed to Tunisia and Niger through which African immigrants pass to reach Italy’s coasts. The rest will be provided to ten countries including Eritrea from which most immigrants come.

Though Italian authorities said the fund will focus on cooperation and humanitarian aid, they did not indicate if its resources would be used to tackle immigration’s roots. However, Rome suggesting it will also finance voluntary repatriation from transit nation to countries of origin.