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| Sarkozy threatens to withdraw from Schengen accord | Sarkozy threatens to withdraw from Schengen accord |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| French President Nicolas Sarkozy has threatened to withdraw from Europe's open border zone unless more is done to stop illegal immigration. | French President Nicolas Sarkozy has threatened to withdraw from Europe's open border zone unless more is done to stop illegal immigration. |
| Speaking at a Paris campaign rally, the president said that reform was the only way to avoid the "implosion" of Europe. | Speaking at a Paris campaign rally, the president said that reform was the only way to avoid the "implosion" of Europe. |
| He said that unless there is progress in the next 12 months, then France would suspend participation in the Schengen agreement. | He said that unless there is progress in the next 12 months, then France would suspend participation in the Schengen agreement. |
| The accord allows passport-free travel among 25 European nations. | The accord allows passport-free travel among 25 European nations. |
| Illegal immigration has been a key issue ahead of the presidential election. | Illegal immigration has been a key issue ahead of the presidential election. |
| Last week Mr Sarkozy said there were too many foreigners in France - and pledged to halve the number of immigrants arriving if he is re-elected later this year. | Last week Mr Sarkozy said there were too many foreigners in France - and pledged to halve the number of immigrants arriving if he is re-elected later this year. |
| The first round of voting is on 22 April. He is lagging in the opinion polls far behind the Socialist candidate, Francois Hollande. | The first round of voting is on 22 April. He is lagging in the opinion polls far behind the Socialist candidate, Francois Hollande. |
| The European Commission is due to submit a report on the operation of the Schengen system in May. | The European Commission is due to submit a report on the operation of the Schengen system in May. |
| Mr Sarkozy also called for a "Buy European Act" that would require governments to favour European-made products. | Mr Sarkozy also called for a "Buy European Act" that would require governments to favour European-made products. |
| He said: "France will ask Europe to adopt a 'Buy European Act' on a model of the 'Buy American Act'. | He said: "France will ask Europe to adopt a 'Buy European Act' on a model of the 'Buy American Act'. |
| "That way companies that produce in Europe will benefit from European state money.'' | "That way companies that produce in Europe will benefit from European state money.'' |