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Migration tops talks in Senegal Spain and Senegal in migrant deal
(about 12 hours later)
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero is in Senegal for talks which are expected to centre on the issue of illegal immigration. Spain and Senegal have agreed a series of measures to curb illegal migration to the Canary Islands.
He may confirm reports that over the next two years some 4,000 Senegalese will be allowed to work in Spain. Spanish PM Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said that over the next two years, 4,000 Senegalese would be allowed to work temporarily in Spain.
Spain's Canary Islands are a tempting destination for many Senegalese. Mr Zapatero was in Senegalese capital, Dakar, for a day of talks.
Almost 30,000 people have made the dangerous journey in 2006, and 4,000 were recently repatriated after an agreement between the two countries. Spain's Canary Islands are a tempting destination for many Africans, and at least half of almost 30,000 illegal arrivals in 2006 have been Senegalese.
Spain repatriated 4,000 of them recently after an agreement with the West African nation.
'Human capital'
After signing the accords with Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, Mr Zapatero said: "This makes possible the emigration of Senegalese under a legal framework through our labour ministry and the job market. Happily, we are in need of labourers."
Mr Zapatero said Spain would keep its promise, made earlier in the year, to give $27m to Senegal to fund job training and create economic opportunities for youth.
"Nothing is worse for a country than losing its human capital," he said.
Both countries have also agreed to extend till June a border patrol operation to deter potential migrants.
The joint operation was due to expire at the end of December.
Tens of thousands of Senegalese, seeking to escape poverty and unemployment, have tried to make the dangerous journey to the Canary Islands over the years.
Many have died at sea, and joint patrols have been sent up to try to prevent illegal immigrants reaching Europe.Many have died at sea, and joint patrols have been sent up to try to prevent illegal immigrants reaching Europe.
See details of the patrol deploymentSee details of the patrol deployment
The subject of illegal immigration is a sensitive one, and Spain and Senegal are right at the heart of the issue.
Many Senegalese people will be keen to know whether Mr Zapatero's visit will lead to more opportunities to work legally in Spain or whether his focus will be on repatriation and strengthening coastal patrols.
Despite the risks, the boats keep filling up.
In Senegal, jobs are scarce and the average income is less than $2 (£1) a day compared to about $70 (£35) a day in Spain.In Senegal, jobs are scarce and the average income is less than $2 (£1) a day compared to about $70 (£35) a day in Spain.
Presidential pollsPresidential polls
Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade is in favour of organised emigration. In the past, President Wade has been criticised by many in the country for allowing the repatriation of Senegalese from Spain.
Mr Zapatero's visit comes just two months before presidential elections in Senegal. Critics say this blocks a migrant's only chance at a better life when jobs are scarce at home.
With unemployment a major problem, the promise of job opportunities in Spain would do President Wade's campaign no harm. The president is seeking re-election in February, and correspondents say that with unemployment a major problem, the promise of job opportunities in Spain will do his campaign no harm.
Helping arrange employment abroad would, in many ways, be easier than what is really needed - the creation of jobs at home. But Spain will only be able to offer contracts to a fraction of those looking for work, so gaining a visa will still be a lottery and illegal journeys by land and sea will not be ended, they say.
But Spain will only be able to offer contracts to a fraction of those looking for work, so gaining a visa will still be a lottery and illegal journeys by land and sea will not be ended.
FRONTEX DEPLOYMENT Mauritania: 4 former Guardia Civil patrol boats, 1 Guardia Civil patrol boat, 1 Guardia Civil helicopter, 1 Customs patrolSenegal: 1 Italian ship, 1 Italian plane, 1 Guardia Civil patrol boat, 1 Spanish Police helicopter, 3 Senegalese boats, 1 Senegalese plane, 1 Finnish plane dueCape Verde: 1 Portuguese frigateFRONTEX DEPLOYMENT Mauritania: 4 former Guardia Civil patrol boats, 1 Guardia Civil patrol boat, 1 Guardia Civil helicopter, 1 Customs patrolSenegal: 1 Italian ship, 1 Italian plane, 1 Guardia Civil patrol boat, 1 Spanish Police helicopter, 3 Senegalese boats, 1 Senegalese plane, 1 Finnish plane dueCape Verde: 1 Portuguese frigate
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