Interior ministers of western Europe's five biggest countries, who meet in Florence today, are hoping to smooth out differences over how to tackle illegal immigration.
The ministers from France, Germany, Britain, Italy and Spain will be seeking ways to allow genuine refugees to enter their countries while keeping out illegal asylum-seekers.
Germany and Italy are in favour of creating large holding centres in North Africa to process would-be migrants to Europe.
Britain has previously made similar proposals, but France and Spain are opposed.
