Paris, which takes over the EU presidency next month, is to ask applicant countries to speed up legal reforms…

Date: 22/06/2000

...to ensure they can take part in joint Union policies to clamp down on illegal immigration. The move follows the death of 58 Asian immigrants who had been trying to get into Britain hidden in the back of a truck. The tragedy prompted EU leaders to stress the importance of implementing a Union-wide policy on immigration and asylum as soon as possible at this week's summit in Feira.