Immigration proposals in train for summit

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, whose government currently holds the presidency of the European Union, is to make proposals at next month's EU summit in Seville to tackle illegal immigration.

Mr Aznar said the proposals would cover action against people-smugglers and a review of aid to countries which did not do enough to stem the flow of migrants.

He was speaking at a news conference in London with the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, who had earlier written to Mr Aznar calling for the issue to be given a higher priority at Seville.

Mr Blair's official spokesman said Britain wanted the European Union to cut aid to countries which allowed free passage to illegal migrants or refused to take back unsuccessful asylum-seekers.

No specific countries were mentioned, but correspondents say his remarks appeared aimed at countries like Yugoslavia and Turkey.

Several EU states have recently seen far-right parties make election advances fuelled by the immigration issue.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service