Barroso calls for 'active solidarity'

European Commission President José Manuel Barroso yesterday urged EU member states to provide concrete help to Malta, Spain and Italy to cope with the influx of illegal immigrants crossing over from North African coasts.

In a letter addressed to all the 25 leaders of the EU, Mr Barroso called on member states to show "active solidarity in the form of financial support and the deployment of people and equipment to our most relevant borders".

Commission spokesman Johannes Laitenberger denied that Mr Barroso was not satisfied with the low-level of help being provided by member states. He said the intention of Mr Barroso's letter was only to appeal for more help.

"This is not a matter of criticising this or that member state as everyone knows there is no magic solution to this problem. President Barroso just wants the EU as a whole to show more solidarity. The EU is not only Brussels and we don't have boats and a coast guard to deploy. Member states have to provide the means. We can only coordinate."

In his letter, Mr Barroso said that the massive arrival of illegal immigrants in the European Union, mainly in Spain, Italy and Malta, is a European problem and requires a European effort.

"What is true today for these member states could happen tomorrow to others. Illegal immigration affects us all," he said.

"It is of the utmost importance that all member states of the Union work together in the spirit of solidarity, not least to assist those southern member states most affected by illegal immigration from Africa. Current joint efforts to help Spain, Italy and Malta constitute a concrete example of this European solidarity. These efforts, in particular for Spain, must be increased and intensified," he said.

Spain is the worst hit country out of the three mentioned by Mr Barroso so far, at least in terms of numbers. Since the beginning of this year over 20,000 illegal immigrants arrived in the Canary Islands from North Africa. Only yesterday about 900 immigrants landed there.

Mr Barroso told European leaders the Commission is confident that, given a holistic effort, the problem can me minimised.