Strasbourg, 15/02/2007 (Agence Europe) - In a resolution adopted on Thursday, the EP backed the recent conclusion of agreements on re-admission of illegal immigrants and facilitation of short term visa delivery with Russia, but also expressed reservations on several points. With regard to the re-admission agreement, it wondered whether the human rights guarantees were central or if preference was given the simple solution of returning illegal immigrants, with the security aspect winning the day over the humanitarian. On Wednesday, during the debate on the reports by the Portuguese MEP Maria Esteves, Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner gave assurances that the agreement fully respected human rights and fundamental freedoms, and was in line with EU policies in this area. With regard to the visa agreement, MEPs were concerned about real reciprocity. They also felt it inappropriate that a trip to certain regions of Russia, such as Chechnya, or some parts of eastern Russia and Siberia, needed additional authorisation or the payment of an addition tax, when a Community Schengen visa allowed unrestricted travel. (hb)