EU Mediterranean countries discuss immigration

MADRID (AP) — Foreign ministers from seven countries on Europe's southern rim are holding an informal meeting to discuss ways of dealing with the thousands of African migrants who try to enter the EU each year in search of a better life.

The ministers from France, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal and Spain are to approve a declaration suggesting measures for the EU and African countries involved.

The ministers are also likely to call for greater EU political and financial support for the southern countries bearing the brunt of the migratory pressure from Africa.

The 2 ½-hour meeting Wednesday in the eastern city of Alicante comes a day after Spanish police intercepted a boat carrying 25 sub-Saharan migrants close to Spain's Canary Islands, off northwest Africa.