Immigration is a "collective challenge", Spanish Prime Minister Jose' Luis Zapatero said this morning during a press briefing before holding talks with the Maltese Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.

He said that Immigration was a priority for the Mediterranean region and the way it should be tackled was through the "unity of the EU".

Dr Gonzi flew to Spain this morning for talks with Mr Zapatero on the priorities of the Spanish presidency of the EU, which starts on January 1.

Mr Zapatero said the highest priorities of the presidency would be economic recovery and job creation.

The presidency would also focus heavily on the renewal of the Lisbon Strategy for competitiveness and work to strengthen the EU´s presence in the international arena, with particular focus on relations with the US, Russia, Latin America and the Mediterranean.

Dr Gonzi acknowledged Spain´s support for Malta´s efforts to get the EU to adopt a common approach to immigration, which he described as a "tremendous challenge" not only for the Mediterranean but for the whole of Europe.

He said the Spanish presidency would be a "milestone" since it would coincide with the hoped-for economic recovery. Spain, he said, would have the challenge of getting Europe moving again and creating sustainable, stable jobs.

Spain currently has an unemployment rate of almost 20 per cent and has been particularly hard-hit by the international recession.

Dr Gonzi also pointed out how the presidency would oversee the institutional reform that would come about once final ratification of the Lisbon Treaty was completed.

The Maltese delegation also includes Foreign Minister Tonio Borg, Malta´s EU High Representative Richard Cachia Caruana and Ambassador to Spain Tanya Vella.