EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker wished Nigel Farage good luck in his bid to become an MP this morning – because it would mean he would have to stand down from the European Parliament.

Mr Juncker, an arch Europhile who believes Brussels needs more powers over national governments, was spotted laughing and joking with the Ukip leader in Strasbourg ahead of a debate on the Mediterranean refugee crisis.

The Ukip leader later took to Twitter to explain what the pair had been chatting about – revealing that Mr Juncker had approached him as he walked into the Parliament building to wish him luck.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker (right) chatted to the Ukip leader Nigel Farage in Strasbourg this morning ahead of a debate on action to halt the drowning of Mediterranean refugees

The Ukip leader later took to Twitter to explain what the pair had been chatting about – revealing that Mr Juncker had approached him as he walked into the Parliament building to wish him luck

But Mr Juncker's message of support was laced with irony – adding that victory for the Ukip leader in South Thanet, Kent, would mean he could no longer trouble him in Brussels anymore.

Mr Farage had broken off from campaigning in South Thanet – where he enjoys a narrow lead over the Tories according to recent polls – to travel across the channel in order to take part in the EU debate on the migration crisis in Italy and Greece.

The Ukip leader said a proposed common European asylum policy posed a direct threat to Europe because Islamic State extremists will exploit it to 'flood' the continent with jihadists.

The Ukip leader said extremists pose a 'real and genuine threat' and warned there is nothing in the plan to stop them sending half a million jihadists into Europe.

Mr Farage was speaking in the European Parliament where MEPs were debating a four-point action plan to help deal with the crisis which has left thousands of migrants dead after trying to cross the Mediterranean from north Africa.

MEPs are being asked to approve the resolutions drawn up by the European Council following a meeting of EU leaders, including David Cameron, on April 23.

The Ukip leader wrote that Mr Juncker had wished him good luck in his bid to become an MP - so he would have to stand down as a member of the European Parliament

Mr Farage had broken off from campaigning in South Thanet – where he enjoys a narrow lead over the Tories according to recent polls – to travel across the channel in order to take part in the EU debate on the migration crisis

After the exchange with Mr Juncker, the Ukip leader said a proposed common European asylum policy posed a direct threat to Europe because Islamic State extremists will exploit it to 'flood' the continent with jihadists

Among measures outlined by the council was agreement to provide collective help for frontline member states such as Italy, including a common asylum policy which could include 'emergency relocation between all member states on a voluntary basis'.

A voluntary pilot project to resettle qualifying asylum seekers across the EU could also be put in place.

Mr Farage told the European Parliament he was worried that the system could include not just those fleeing war and failed states but also economic migrants.

He said: 'I suspect that it's a shock and would be a hell of a shock to many European citizens including the British to understand that we have already agreed a common European asylum system.

'What today is about and today's resolution is the direct implementation of it.

'The problem is this: the definitions for who qualifies for asylum are so wide they include not just people coming from war, not just people coming from failed states, (EU Commission president Jean-Claude) Juncker this morning seems to suggest it would even include people who were fleeing poverty.

'I'm sorry, we simply can't accept countless millions. Already in countries like mine 77% of the population say we cannot take immigration at current levels.

'But there is a real and genuine threat. When Isis say they want to flood our continent with half a million Islamic extremists, they mean it. There is nothing in this document that will stop those people from coming.

'Indeed I fear we face a direct threat to our civilisation if we allow large numbers of people from that war-torn region into Europe.

'It is ironic that nine days before a British General Election, Mr Cameron and Mr Miliband are not engaged in this debate and in fact the UK can do nothing.