Immigration: a common approach needed

In the summer of 2006 thousands of immigrants arrived in boats on the shores of the EU. Hundreds more were feared drowned in the attempt. Mainly they came to Italy and Spain - the countries closest to the African continent - although merely getting into the European Union was their objective. They are just part of a constant tide of people trying to get into the EU. Whether the Union can adopt one policy to stop or manage immigration was discussed at a hearing in the European Parliament, 30 January 2007.