ROME, Dec. 1 (Xinhuanet) -- Italy, Spain and France will sign an agreement to patrol the Mediterranean, in a bid to stem the flow of illegal migrants, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi said on Thursday.

    Speaking after talks in Rome, Zapatero and Berlusconi said they hoped the accord could be signed in January in Madrid.

    The agreement would amount to a sort of a "Schengen of the sea" to boost the fight against human trafficking, criminal activity and terrorism.

    Under the European Union's Schengen accord - which applies to 15 EU countries - people can cross borders without showing an identity card, unless they are using aircraft.

    Under the terms of the sea agreement, defense and interior ministers from the three countries would cooperate to curb illegal maritime activities in the Mediterranean.

    "The activity is essentially aimed at the Mediterranean but it can be extended to the Atlantic," Zapatero said at a joint news conference.

    "Immigration policy is the biggest issue facing the European Union over the next few years," the Spanish premier added.

    Spain and Italy are both popular destinations with would-be immigrants, many of whom see them as gateways to other European countries. Enditem