Finland considers aid to Spain to stop illegal immigration
Finland is considering a request by Spain to help stem the flow of illegal immigrants into the country.
Spain has asked for urgent aid from other European Union countries to help it control its borders after large numbers of African would-be immigrants have landed on the Canary Islands.
The Spanish news agency EFE said on Monday that several EU countries had promised to come to Spain’s aid. While no decisions have been made, Finland has indicated that it is willing to offer Spain the help of experts in border control questions.
Spain has also asked for supplies, such as patrol boats. However, the Ministry of the interior feels that there would not be enough resources for this.
If it were implemented, an EU border monitoring operation in the Canary Islands would be the first operation of the EU’s new Border Authority.
On Monday, another four vessels with nearly 400 would-be immigrants landed in the Canary Islands.
Helsingin Sanomat
