The European Union took a first step today towards creating a common border police unit to counter the growing threat posed by illegal immigrants and smuggling rings.
It is estimated that up to 500,000 people a year enter the EU illegally and the EU wants a more coordinated approach to shutting off the routes used by organised smuggling gangs, many of whom enter via the Balkans.
EU justice and home affairs ministers ended two days of talks by backing an Italian initiative to examine how the 15-member bloc could set up and run such a unit.
This first decision could lead to the establishment of an EU border police, one EU diplomat said.
A new unit would coordinate the EU's existing border patrols as it prepares to expand into central and eastern Europe the gateway to the West for many illegal migrants.
The EU's executive Commission said it supported the Italian plan, and Justice Commissioner Mr Antonio Vitorino said the EU should go ahead with pilot projects while the Italians are completing their study.