Blunkett seeks EU backing to curb illegal immigration

Europe's interior ministers indicated broad backing yesterday to British proposals to strengthen the EU's frontiers and make aid to poor nations conditional on their efforts to combat illegal immigration.

At a meeting in Luxembourg, the 15 ministers cast aside human rights objections to pave the way for next week's summit of heads of government in Seville to agree target dates for a far-reaching plan to curb illegal immigration.

Alarmed at the success of populist politicians in France, the Netherlands and Denmark, Tony Blair and Jose Maria Aznar, the Prime Minister of Spain, which holds the rotating EU presidency, have moved fast to try to outflank the far right. But the focus on immigration has caused alarm among campaigning groups. Amnesty International this week sent an open letter to EU leaders warning them of the danger of legitimising the arguments of the far right.

Yesterday, however, a four-point plan submitted by David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, achieved broad support. Mr Blunkett said he was "very encouraged indeed that there seemed to be unanimity around the table".

Otto Schily, the German Interior Minister, argued: "The EU doesn't want to build a Fortress Europe, but remains open for legal migration. The fewer illegal immigrants we get, the more possibility we will have for legal immigration."

There was clear backing for plans to boost co-operation on policing borders and to increase surveillance at sea, but only brief discussion of Mr Blunkett's controversial plan to link development aid to co-operation in curbing illegal immigration and accepting nationals who are denied asylum.

Mr Blunkett said that aid would not be cut, but that the measure would apply to new grants. "It's an incentive, not a punishment," he said.

While Britain, Spain and Italy are enthusiastic supporters, France and Sweden are less keen. Jan Karlsson, Sweden's Migration and Development Aid minister, argued that "it should not be xenophobes who set the EU's agenda".

Many experts believe the policy to be unrealistic, pointing out that any scheme that penalises very poor countries is bound to increase the outflow of migrants.

Other elements of the Blunkett package, which are more likely to be implemented, include getting agreement by the end of the year on a common definition of asylum – a long-standing EU pledge.

A similar timetable would be put in place for giving legal force to the Dublin Convention, which aims to resolve the responsibility of nations for processing asylum applications. This would allow nations to deport refugees to the first EU country they entered.

Mr Blunkett and Nicolas Sarkozy, the French Interior Minister, agreed to hold talks on the Sangatte camp near Calais.