The European Commission has called on EU member-states to work harder to integrate legal immigrants and to combat discrimination while taking tougher measures to discourage illegal migrants.
In two reports adopted yesterday, the Commission calls for the introduction of an EU-wide visa database, fingerprints in passports and residence permits, and more effective border controls.
The Commission was sceptical, however, about a British proposal to establish transit camps outside the EU where asylum applications could be processed.
It said that the proposal raised a number of legal, financial and practical questions, including the issue of whether such holding centres were compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Social Affairs Commissioner, Ms Anna Diamantopoulou, said that EU member-states must understand that immigration is necessary, particularly in view of Europe's ageing population.
She said that it was not enough to integrate immigrants into the labour market; they must also share in the social, cultural and civil life of their host nations.
"Zero immigration is not an option. Increased immigration flows are inevitable as a result of 'push' factors such as political instability in the world or welfare differentials. But properly managed immigration will also be necessary in order to meet the future needs of the European labour market.
"In order to make immigration a success not least for current EU citizens - Europe must achieve radically better integration of immigrants already based in the EU and prepare now for future immigration," she said.
The report says that governments should take the needs of immigrants into account when framing general legislation and should ensure access to language classes, employment training and social services.
But the Commission also wants to send a strong signal that only legal immigrants are welcome in the EU and the Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner, Mr Antonio Vitorino, said this meant tougher action in keeping unwanted migrants out.
"Although we need generous policies on lawful immigration and asylum, we must also take determined action in the joint control of our borders and the fight against illegal immigration," he said.
EU leaders will discuss illegal immigration when they meet in Thessaloniki later this month and the Commission wants the summit to agree to closer co-operation in tracking illegal immigrants and in policing borders. Yesterday's report proposes storing "biometric data" such as fingerprints and iris scans in passports and residence permits - for non-EU citizens at first but later for EU citizens too.
It also calls for the creation of a European Corps of Border Guards to police the EU's external borders, especially around the Mediterranean.