Brussels, 04/06/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 4 June, representatives from member states of the EU reached a compromise on the draft directive setting out expulsion procedures for illegal immigrants. Ministers are expected to ratify the text on Thursday in Luxembourg during the JHA Council (EUROPE 9674 and 9667). Only one element still needs resolving - that on procedural guarantees provided to illegal immigrants who appeal against expulsion decisions. The text now stipulates that a third country national who does not have sufficient resources for seeking the necessary legal assistance shall obtain this aid free, insofar as national legislation will allow. With regard to free legal assistance, member states will have to draw on criteria defined in the 2005 directive on qualifying for refugee status (Article 15). To ensure this aid, the Commission has said that it is prepared to provide member states with some of the refugee returns fund. The Commission will also produce a report on implementation modalities in the different countries to apply this specific provision. Finally, a transition period of 36 months (instead of the 24 included in the directive) will be applied to this point. The text will be examined by the European Parliament on 18 June in Strasbourg. The debate is promising to be a heated one. (B.C.)