Should the amount of aid that African countries receive from Europe be linked to their efforts to prevent their nationals moving to this continent? France, the outgoing holder of the EU's rotating presidency, has suggested that it should. During recent discussions involving both African and European governments, the French have advocated a two-year cooperation programme that would simultaneously try to encourage legal migration -- normally that involving skilled or highly-educated professionals, whose services are desired by European firms -- and curb 'irregular' movement.