Brussels, 10/07/2009 (Agence Europe) - The number of people seeking to enter the EU illegally could fall by 20 to 25% by the end of 2009, according to Frontex, the Warsaw-based European agency for the management of operational cooperation at the external borders of the EU member states. Figures put forward by the agency show that 20,200 illegal migrants have been intercepted at the borders of Europe this year, compared to 24,000 last year, RFI reports. In one year, the number of illegal immigrants arrested at the borders of the European Union fell by 16%, Frontex states. It explains this phenomenon by two things - first of all, the economic crisis which has made the number of jobs available in European countries plummet, entailing a fall in immigrants seeking employment. Secondly, cooperation between states - especially re-entry agreements with the countries of departure - has had a deterrent effect. (B.C./transl.jl)