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EU summit to reconsider expansion EU summit to reconsider expansion
(about 3 hours later)
The heads of the 25 European Union states are expected to make it harder for new members to join, when they meet for their annual summit in Brussels.The heads of the 25 European Union states are expected to make it harder for new members to join, when they meet for their annual summit in Brussels.
This, they will argue, will allow time to reform the EU's key institutions.This, they will argue, will allow time to reform the EU's key institutions.
Arguments are expected over a call by the EU's executive, the Commission, for the veto over justice and home affairs to be dropped, our correspondent says.Arguments are expected over a call by the EU's executive, the Commission, for the veto over justice and home affairs to be dropped, our correspondent says.
The UK, Germany and the Netherlands are expected to oppose the proposal which is meant to help fight terrorism.The UK, Germany and the Netherlands are expected to oppose the proposal which is meant to help fight terrorism.
'Turkey problem''Turkey problem'
EU leaders are expected to call for issues such as judicial reform and fighting corruption to be tackled early on when considering new applications for membership.EU leaders are expected to call for issues such as judicial reform and fighting corruption to be tackled early on when considering new applications for membership.
Now we can have this general debate about enlargement without this Turkey problem Matti VanhanenFinnish PM EU diary: Leaders mull future Q&A: EU enlargement
The summit comes after EU foreign ministers decided on Monday to partially suspend accession talks with Turkey.The summit comes after EU foreign ministers decided on Monday to partially suspend accession talks with Turkey.
The decision stems from Turkey's refusal to open its sea and air ports to EU member Cyprus, under a customs union pact it signed with the bloc last year.The decision stems from Turkey's refusal to open its sea and air ports to EU member Cyprus, under a customs union pact it signed with the bloc last year.
Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen who will chair the summit, told Reuters news agency that his purpose was to find some kind of consensus about enlargement.Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen who will chair the summit, told Reuters news agency that his purpose was to find some kind of consensus about enlargement.
"Now we can have this general debate about enlargement without this Turkey problem," he said."Now we can have this general debate about enlargement without this Turkey problem," he said.
National vetoNational veto
The European Commission has argued strongly that the fight against crime and terrorism needs far closer cooperation between countries.The European Commission has argued strongly that the fight against crime and terrorism needs far closer cooperation between countries.
This, they say, could be best achieved by governments dropping their national veto.This, they say, could be best achieved by governments dropping their national veto.
However, the idea was part of the constitution already rejected in the French and Dutch referendums.However, the idea was part of the constitution already rejected in the French and Dutch referendums.
That said, Finland - the current EU chair - will ask the 25 prime ministers and presidents to sign up to a statement saying the ideas in the constitution about the veto are the best way forward.That said, Finland - the current EU chair - will ask the 25 prime ministers and presidents to sign up to a statement saying the ideas in the constitution about the veto are the best way forward.
If it is not, those who warn parts of the constitution will be introduced by the back door will feel vindicated, the BBC's Europe Editor, Mark Mardell, says.If it is not, those who warn parts of the constitution will be introduced by the back door will feel vindicated, the BBC's Europe Editor, Mark Mardell, says.