Eighty percent of Europeans want a tightening of passport and other entry controls for foreigners as part of a European Union asylum and immigration policy, a poll released by the EU's head office said yesterday.

　　The survey, which was carried out by Eurobarometer between December 8 and 16 last year, found that a strong majority favor bolstering border checks to prevent the flow of illegal immigrants into the EU.

　　Support for stricter controls was highest in southern member states of Greece and Italy, where 89 percent agreed. The lowest support was found in Sweden, where 65 percent were in favor.

　　The poll found that Europeans are still in favor of immigrants coming to work in Europe, with 56 percent agreeing that there is an economic need for immigrants.

　　It also said 85 percent of EU citizens want the EU to set up common rules for asylum seekers.

　　The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, said the poll should add impetus to efforts by EU governments to set up joint immigration and asylum procedures.

　　"European citizens are in favor of monitoring immigration, which will optimize the conditions for legal immigrants and facilitate their successful integration," the Commission said.

　　The 15 EU nations absorb an estimated 500,000 illegal aliens and nearly 400,000 asylum seekers a year, mostly from the Balkans, Asia and North Africa.

　　After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and electoral gains by populist anti-immigrant parties in several EU countries, the issue has gained urgency.

　　The entry of 10 new nations in May means the EU will soon border Ukraine, Belarus and the volatile Balkans, all potential sources of illegal immigration.

　　(The Associated Press)