The European Union will start patrolling the West African coast from July 18 in an attempt to stem illegal immigration to the Canary Islands, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero was on Thursday quoted by press reports as saying.
Zapatero made the announcement on Wednesday on Tenerife, where he visited immigrant reception centres.
The Canary Islands have received about 10 000 Africans this year, twice as many as arrived during all of last year.
Zapatero said 13 EU countries will help to reinforce frontier surveillance for as long as needed. They are expected to contribute vessels, aircraft or experts.
Two Spanish ships and four police boats will go out together with vessels or aircraft from France, Finland and Portugal, the daily El Pais quoted the prime minister as saying.
Several African countries have given a green light to the patrols, according to Spanish reports. — Sapa-dpa