The government is stepping up its campaign for a Europe-wide clampdown on asylum seekers with a call for coordinated action to stop human trafficking.

Europe minister Peter Hain has called for better coordinated policies across member states in a bid to stop illegal immigrants travelling across Europe.

The government's push follows increasing concern about the rise of far-right politicians in Austria, France and the Netherlands, as well as the continuing problems posed by the Sangatte refugee camp near Calais.

"However strong our border controls, we need the help of the countries around us - to prevent the abuse of our asylum procedures, to prevent illegal immigrants from reaching Britain in the first place [and] to help organise the return of those whose claims fail," Hain said.

In a speech in Birmingham, the Europe minister also said that the EU should develop effective policies to tackle the causes of mass migration.

The move comes as Tony Blair and Spanish prime minister Jose Maria Aznar, the current holder of the EU presidency, pledged to put tougher asylum policies at the top of Europe's agenda.

Following a meeting in Downing Street on Monday, the two leaders agreed that aid should be withheld from countries that fail to cooperate with Europe's border policies.

The plan will now be top of the agenda at next month's EU heads of government meeting in Seville.

Blair said moves towards a common asylum policy had become "bogged down".

"We are not advocating a fortress Europe," said Blair. "But there has got to be some order and some rules brought into the system whereby people come into Europe."