§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with other EU states bordering the Mediterranean on additional steps to take to control the illegal entry of asylum seekers into the EU. [56912]
§ Peter HainThe Government take very seriously the need to control the illegal entry of asylum seekers into the EU. At the request of Italy, the General Affairs Council of 15 April discussed the issue of illegal immigration, and adopted conclusions which have been placed in the Library of the House. In particular, Foreign Ministers 63W considered how to deal more effectively with problems arising from illegal immigration particularly at sea borders, including by using all the instruments available in the framework of the Union's external relations to encourage countries of origin and transit to take action. Foreign Ministers also called for rapid implementation of the comprehensive action plan to combat illegal immigration and trafficking of human beings adopted by the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 28 February.