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Enlargement test for EU leaders Enlargement test for EU leaders
(about 1 hour later)
European Union leaders have begun a summit in Brussels to discuss how far and how fast the EU should expand.European Union leaders have begun a summit in Brussels to discuss how far and how fast the EU should expand.
They are expected to approve a partial suspension of negotiations with Turkey because of Ankara's refusal to allow Cypriot ships into its ports.They are expected to approve a partial suspension of negotiations with Turkey because of Ankara's refusal to allow Cypriot ships into its ports.
But a draft statement reaffirms the long-term commitment to let Turkey, Albania and countries from the former Yugoslavia join the EU.But a draft statement reaffirms the long-term commitment to let Turkey, Albania and countries from the former Yugoslavia join the EU.
The right of veto in justice and home affairs is also under discussion.The right of veto in justice and home affairs is also under discussion.
The European Commission - the EU's executive - wants member states to give up this veto, to strengthen the fight against crime and terrorism.The European Commission - the EU's executive - wants member states to give up this veto, to strengthen the fight against crime and terrorism.
Finland, which is chairing the summit, may also ask the leaders to agree that dropping the veto is the best way forward, and to commit themselves to come back to the subject in future.
But the UK, Germany and the Netherlands are expected to oppose the proposal.But the UK, Germany and the Netherlands are expected to oppose the proposal.
Constitution debate Capacity to act
The Finnish EU presidency is nearing its end and Germany is set to take over on 1 January. The EU took on 10 new members in 2004, and another two - Bulgaria and Romania - are due to join on 1 January.
This meeting is likely to make it tougher for new countries to join without breaking any existing promises BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell Leaders tackle EU future Germany has made reviving the stalled EU constitution a priority for its presidency. This meeting is likely to make it tougher for new countries to join without breaking any existing promises BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell Leaders tackle EU future Some European politicians are concerned that the two countries are not fully ready for membership - and that the existing member states are not ready to receive them.
Chancellor Angela Merkel told the German parliament that she would aim to achieve a roadmap for the constitution by the end of June 2007. The view is widely held that steps must be taken to streamline EU institutions - by implementing some of the measures contained in the ill-fated constitution - before any more countries join.
The EU remains deeply split over the constitution. It was rejected by voters in France and the Netherlands in 2005. "You have to get your house in order before you take in new members," said Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker.
Supporters of the EU constitution say it is needed to streamline decision-making in the enlarged EU - which will include Bulgaria and Romania from 1 January. Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the EU had put greater emphasis on "the capacity of the EU to take in new member states".
"We need a constitutional treaty," Mrs Merkel said on Thursday, adding that it would be an "historic failure" not to have one. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the summit needed to agree on the reasons for taking in new member states - "why enlargement is important for Europe and how we should do it in a way that reinforces the European capacity to act."
'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.
Now we can have this general debate about enlargement without this Turkey problem Matti VanhanenFinnish PM Q&A: EU enlargement Turks debate EU bid The summit comes after EU foreign ministers decided on Monday to partially suspend accession talks with Turkey.Now we can have this general debate about enlargement without this Turkey problem Matti VanhanenFinnish PM Q&A: EU enlargement Turks debate EU bid 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 welcomed the fact that it would now be possible to have a general debate about enlargement "without this Turkey problem".
"Now we can have this general debate about enlargement without this Turkey problem," he said. There will also be a discussion on foreign relations, in which Sudan and a European peace initiative in the Middle East are likely to figure.
There will also be a discussion on foreign relations in which Sudan and the Middle East are likely to figure, not least as the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, is expected to head to the Middle East shortly, the BBC's Nick Childs reports.