Brussels, 13/06/2005 (Agence Europe) - By adopting by a large majority, last Thursday, (431 votes for, 124 against, with 49 abstentions) the report of Patrick Gaubert (EPP-ED, France) on links between legal and illegal immigration and integration of migrants, the EP had come out in favour of a more coherent EU policy and cooperation with countries of origin for regulating legal immigration flows. Parliament says that regulating the mass of illegal immigrants should be an exception, has firmly rejected the idea of setting up reception centres outside the EU for those wanting to go to the EU. The EP also supported better organisation of European consular authorities in countries of origin and for stricter sanctions for those trafficking illegal immigrants. At the same time, it is appealing for more pro-active immigration integration policies in host countries; fighting discrimination, racism and xenophobia and also “reciprocal rights and responsibilities in the host country and for immigrants”, outlined a press release by Mr Gaubert. The MEP welcomed the fact that since the principle of co-decision had been introduced for part of immigration policy, it was the first time there had been broad consensus on a theme that usually pits ideological forces against each other.