Fewer than 20,000 undocumented migrants were caught trying to reach Spain via the Mediterranean in 2007 – half as many as the previous year. Government officials claim the drop confirms the success of a new strategy to tackle illegal immigration. Weekly meetings coordinates by Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega and other ministers and secretaries of state continue to take place every Friday in Madrid, to discuss the ways the country can deal with illegal immigration. Spanish embassies set up in West African countries and aid packages are believed to have successfully reduced the number of illegal migrants coming to Spain from West Africa, in addition the hiring of more security personal.
