The EU agreed to facilitate visas for Russians visiting Europe if Russia readmits illegal emmigrants

Russia has agreed to readmit people who illegally emigrated to the European Union, resolving a longstanding issue, British Prime Minister Tony Blair's office said Tuesday.

Blair, whose country currently holds the EU presidency, met in London Tuesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The EU agreed to facilitate visas for Russians visiting Europe, said a spokesman for Blair, speaking on condition of anonymity in conformance with government policy.

The EU had pressed for those commitments in response to Moscow's demand that the EU relax visa restrictions, the AP reports.

Blair's spokesman said the deal was not yet signed. He said he did not know if Russia had agreed to readmit people from states along its southern border who had traveled illegally through Russia to Europe. AM