France intends to outline exactly how the EU should crackdown on illegal immigration at a meeting of interior ministers in Cannes later today. But not all countries agree with the draconian measures which President Nicolas Sarkozy wants to see adopted by all members in October.

Paris has been forced to water down certain provisions, removing the demand for an immigrant contract insisting people learn the language and the culture.

But it does want to see more illegals deported, and is calling for EU and bilateral agreements forcing countries to take their migrants back.

Differences with Spain, and Italy, over the right to hold illegal immigrant amnesties forced negotiations last month. A ban on regularisation has now been taken out.

But Latin American countries have blasted Europe’s anti-immigration ambitions as xenophobic.

More than eight million illegal immigrants are said to be living in EU member countries, creating a massive strain on resources.

One EU diplomat, speaking anonymously, said the proposed regulations had huge potential for misinterpretation.

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