The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Cannes

EU interior ministers expressed optimism Monday for a rapid agreement on new guidelines for controlling immigration, but denied the plan would erect walls around Europe. "It is a good proposal for a common position for everybody," said Czech Interior Minister Ivan Langer as he arrived for informal EU talks in the French Riviera resort city of Cannes.

The "European Pact on Immigration and Asylum" sets out principles for the EU to manage migration, fight illegal immigration and help development in poor countries that people are leaving or travelling through to get to Europe. France, which has just taken over the bloc's rotating presidency, wants to have the guidelines wrapped up by October, so that it can be endorsed at a summit of EU leaders.

"I hope that even today we will be able to reach a political agreement on this pact that could be finalised during the French presidency," said Greek Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos.

"It is a plan, a framework for immigration policy that is absolutely necessary for Europe and for the rest of the world," he said.

Even Spain, which has put up most resistance to the pact in the drafting stages, said the document largely respects its system of immigration.

"We are satisfied, we believe that this recognises the major part of our model of immigration," said Spanish Interior Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba.

Other ministers insisted that Europe was not turning into a fortress, even though the 27 nations have had to increase security on their borders to the outside world, in exchanging for enjoying passport free travel inside.