David Blunkett has called for "bold action" from Europe to solve the problem of illegal immigration.

The home secretary, who met with other European Union home affairs ministers in Greece on Friday, wants to see major initiatives to cut the international flow of immigrants.

"The European Union cannot carry on pursuing old solutions to the asylum problem that do not work, and do not tackle the root causes of migration flows and refugee displacement. My vision is of a refugee protection and asylum processing system that is fit for the 21st century," he said ahead of the meeting.

Government figures recently showed that the number of people claiming asylum in the UK had topped 100,000 a year.

Conscious of public anger, Blunkett warned that he is determined to push for tougher policies.

He said that Britain was prepared to "take a leading role in helping develop these proposals and making them happen".

"We need to be able to show our citizens at home that European asylum policy is not simply a gateway for uncontrolled migration, but rather a firm and fair procedure for those who genuinely need refuge."

He is expected to call for "international burden sharing", arguing that Britain is taking too many asylum seekers.

Officials say Blunkett wants to see two key principles developed, based on ideas set out by UN high commissioner for refugees Ruud Lubbers.

The home secretary will argue for regional protection zones to be established for refugees fleeing persecution and transit processing zones which would decide which countries asylum seekers could be sent to.

The proposals would involve both closer co-operation between EU countries and work with the UN.

"There is a lot of work to be done but I think that EU countries by working together with the UNHCR can make real, lasting progress to benefit asylum-seekers, their home countries and the European Union.

"I am confident that working together with UNHCR and the Commission, we shall produce workable options for us to take forward. At the same time we should also give priority to the political and financial resources we need to get in place effective agreements on returns," said Blunkett.

Human rights activists claimed Blunkett's plans contravened the 1951 convention on refugees.

Dick Oosting, of Amnesty International, said: "It is extraordinary that a proposal to reinforce 'Fortress Europe' is being debated when war in Iraq may result in many people fleeing the country.

"It is doubly incongruous that the proposals were initiated by the EU member state that is part of the military operations in Iraq."