Brussels, 28/04/2008 (Agence Europe) - Three years after negotiations started, the EU on 23 April laid the foundations of an agreement to harmonise its rules for escorting illegal immigrants back to its borders. This is a summary of the content of the compromise obtained between the Slovenian President and the rapporteur on the text, Manfred Weber (EPP-ED, Germany), at the third negotiation trialogue. The most controversial element of the text stipulates, amongst other things, that the maximum duration for which illegal immigrants can be held will be six months, to which an additional 12 months can be added in exceptional cases, for example if the person refuses to cooperate or if the country of origin has not provided the documents required for expulsion. The compromise also stipulates that the detention must be ordered in writing, giving reasons in fact and in law. The judicial re-evaluation of keeping the person detained must be carried out "as quickly as possible". Initially, the Parliament proposed a period of 48 hours. The decision to keep the person detained is to be re-assessed within "reasonable" intervals of time, by request either of the illegal immigrant or the judge. The Parliament suggested that this procedure be carried out on a monthly basis. In the case of extended periods of detention, the judge will decide to reassess this detention. It is worth noting that the text also keeps in place the possibility of holding unaccompanied minors. At this moment in time, it is not clear whether the compromise will be accepted by the European Parliament, when it votes on the issue in June (EUROPE 9651). Despite a number of reservations, Coreper is expected to give its blessing to the compromise on 7 May. (B.C.)