Denmark will push for more co- operation amongst EU members in order to stop illegal immigration to Mediterranean countries, said reports from Copenhagen on Thursday.

The prime minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, has pledged to devote more resources to shoring up the European Union's southern frontier, reported daily newspaper Politiken.

Denmark already has one police officer stationed in Malta as a member of Frontex, the EU's border agency. Visiting the island Wednesday, Rasmussen said that Denmark would do more to help the island prevent illegal immigration from Africa, though he stopped short of making any promises.

"I know that illegal immigration places an overwhelming burden on Malta and its public institutions. We view this as a political matter that we need to deal with through increased EU co-operation, " Rasmussen said.

In addition to calling for a strengthened Frontex, the prime minister expressed his support for the European Commission's two most recent initiatives to stop illegal immigration.

On 19 July, the Commission set forth a proposal to establish rapid reaction teams of border guards that can be deployed to union frontiers. It also suggested earmarking 1.82 billion euros ( about 2.33 billion U.S. dollars) to assist countries facing illegal immigration crises.

Source: Xinhua