EU eyes shifting some development funds towards tackling migration crisis

Refugees and migrants arrive aboard the passenger ferry Nissos Rodos at the port of Piraeus, near Athens, Greece, January 27, 2016. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Talks to shift some funds away from fostering development in the European Union's poorer eastern regions towards handling a large migrant influx mainly into its west may cause fireworks at a meeting of EU finance ministers on Friday.

To stem the flow of Middle East and African refugees passing through Turkey into EU territory, the 28-nation bloc agreed last year on proving 3 billion euros ($3.39 billion) to Ankara to keep them there. But raising the money has proven complicated.