EU to boost crackdown on illegal immigrants

British Prime Minister Tony Blair welcomed the broader accord, saying it would help weed out bogus asylum claims.

The accord "give us a greater opportunity to take the action we need, not just in our own countries but also in the European Union, to try and make sure that we weed out those asylum claims that are not genuine claims," he said.

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The agreement reached would also allow EU states to "return people to their countries of origin, should their claims fail, in an easier manner."

The EU leaders gathered in the secluded Greek resort of Porto Carras agreed notably to "reinforce existing cooperation" in the area of returning illegal immigrants to their countries of origin.

They also reiterated their aim of setting up a Europe-wide coordinated asylum system to process claims rapidly and efficiently, according to a draft final declaration.

But they failed to give support to a controversial British plan to set up "protection zones" in conflict areas to stem the flow of asylum seekers into Europe.

The draft conclusions invited the EU Commission to look at ways to help boost security in the world's hot spots.

It noted that some countries would work with the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) to better protect refugees in their region of origin, but gave no support for that action.

London argues that the current system for handling refugee claimants is too easily abused and too expensive.

It wants the protection zones to be set up to ensure a "firm and fair procedure" that encourages genuine asylum seekers to come forward.

British officials had expressed confidence that their plan would be well received by leaders here, but after talks with other EU members they were forced to back down.

"Now it's a question for Britain to do it bilaterally but it's not the case that they can do it with assistance, financing or support by the EU as such," said Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh.

Britain is keen to set up at least a pilot scheme for the plans, which have been criticized by human rights campaigners as "unlawful and unworkable."