Members of the European Parliament’s Budget Committee on Sept. 25 agreed to cancel 70 million euros in pre-accession funds earmarked for Turkey on grounds the conditions to improve the rule of law were not met.

The committee said the money would be spent on migration programs.

“Last November, during the budgetary negotiations, Parliament and Council decided to place in reserve 70 million euros in pre-accession funds for Turkey [70 million euros in commitment appropriations and 35 million euros in payment appropriations], under the condition that Turkey makes measurable, sufficient improvements in the fields of rule of law, democracy, human rights and press freedom, according to the annual report of the Commission,” the committee said in a statement.

More: EU lawmakers agree to cancel pre-accession funds for Turkey