EU to Stop Illegal Immigration

Prague, Jan 15 (Prensa Latina) The European Union Justice and Interior Ministers study a proposal of several countries to stop massive arrival of illegal immigrants to the continent.

The request by Italy, Greece, Cyprus and Malta calls to increase maritime vigilance by bracing Frontex, the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union.

The initiative, discussed Thursday in Prague, calls for accords between the EU and source countries to repatriate or evict illegal aliens.

Recent report from the UN High Commissioner for the Refugees stressed that thousands of people venture at the risky Mediterranean route due to the few opportunities to access the EC legally.

Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni says the problems affects all of Europe since an illegal immigrant entering Italy may freely circulate the entire region.

Most illegal immigrants in search for better opportunities choose Italy, main entry to the EC for those coming from different underdeveloped regions.

Many reach by paying traffickers thousands of dollars to cross the Mediterranean in unsafe, overloaded boats to reach the coasts of Italy.

hr/emw/por

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