CAPE TOWN, Feb 28, 2008 (AFP) - Africa and Europe must work together against uncontrolled migration, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Thursday, warning of the economic and social burden being placed on host countries.

'No country in the world can afford to receive a number of migrants exceeding its ability to extend them a decent welcome, and offer them work, housing, education and health care,' Sarkozy told the South African parliament.

'Upsetting this balance leads to massive unemployment among foreigners, to exclusion and to ghettos. Ultimately, it fosters violence and xenophobia,' he added.

Sarkozy is in South Africa on a two-day visit, and said Africa's economic powerhouse suffered the same problem as France from African migrants who try to escape war and poverty in their countries.

'Sixty-five percent of the 200,000 foreign nationals who take up residence in France every year come from the African continent,' Sarkozy added.

'South Africa alone receives nearly one-quarter of all migrant populations in Africa.

'The reality of immigration is not satisfactory today. It is not satisfactory for us, it is not satisfactory for you. Europeans and South Africans face the same challenge,' Sarkozy added.

Millions of Africans cross over to South Africa for a better life every year with more than three million believed to be Zimbabweans fleeing the economic and political crisis in that country

Sarkozy called on European and African governments to work together to deal with the 'difficult subject' of migration.

'First the brain drain. We must organise return migration, we must avoid African elites emigrating for good,' he said.

'Second, organised crime. It is time for the international community to crack down on the odious crime of trafficking in human beings,' he added.