Blair: on route for Paris

Borders Essential Says Blair

Asylum, immigration and border controls were due to be high on their agenda at the discussions which will centre on what Mr Blair described as "the sticking points" to the European Union member states reaching agreement on a new treaty in Amsterdam next week.

Speaking before his talks with President Chirac, Mr Blair said, "I hope very much I will be able to convince the president that for Britain as an island state control over our immigration and over our asylum and our own frontiers is absolutely essential, and I want that written into the treaty."

Asked whether he felt there was resentment at the "new boy on the block" in Europe dictating to other member states, Mr Blair said, "I don't think people object to us saying this is where we think Europe should go".

"We are not lecturing people but we are saying Britain is back on the international stage. It's got a leading role to play. We've got a part to play in the development of Europe particularly in areas like jobs and the industries of the future."