Spain, struggling to contain thousands of African refugees fleeing to its Canary Islands, called today for a common EU immigration policy and more resources to help deal with the problem.
Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega said a recent decision by at least eight EU states to help Spain with a sea patrol mission in one of its remote regions showed Europe was taking steps to be more united on migration.
"Europe should increase its awareness on the importance on having a comprehensive approach on the issue of immigration, which affects us all," Ms Fernandez de la Vega told a news conference at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
Deputy Spanish Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega
"We require a common immigration policy in order to make it more effective. And what we need to achieve in Europe is more resources," she said.
On Europe's southern coast facing Africa, Spain is the first target of thousands of penniless sub-Saharan Africans seeking entry to Europe.
More than 9,500 immigrants arrived in the Canaries by boat this year, double the number of last year.
Centres have filled to overflowing as the Spanish government scrambles to reach deals with West African countries to stop the rush of migrants desperate for new lives in Europe.
EU states will meet next week in Madrid to finalise the preparation of their joint sea patrol mission to the Canaries, a spokesman for the EU's border agency said today.
Malta faces a similar problem with illegal immigration from Africa, as does Italy on its remote island of Lampedusa.
Earlier this month, the EU's border agency pledged €2.1 to help co-ordinate EU help to the Canaries and Malta.
Hundreds of would-be migrants drown each year trying to cross the more than 1,000 km (600 miles) to the Canary Islands in open fishing boats from west African countries such as Mauritania and Senegal.