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Enlargement test for EU leaders Enlargement test for EU leaders
(10 minutes 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 draft conclusions reaffirm a pledge to let Turkey, Albania and ex-Yugoslav states join the EU in time.But draft conclusions reaffirm a pledge to let Turkey, Albania and ex-Yugoslav states join the EU in time.
The draft also keeps open the idea of member states dropping their veto in justice and home affairs in future.The draft also keeps open the idea of member states dropping their veto in justice and home affairs in future.
The European Commission - the EU's executive - wants governments to give up this veto, to strengthen the fight against crime and terrorism.The European Commission - the EU's executive - wants governments to give up this veto, to strengthen the fight against crime and terrorism.
Correspondents say Finland, which is chairing the summit, may 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.Correspondents say Finland, which is chairing the summit, may 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.
Capacity to actCapacity to act
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the summit needed to agree on the point of enlargement.
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 He said they should aim for consensus on "why enlargement is important for Europe and how we should do it in a way that reinforces the European capacity to act."
The EU took on 10 new members in 2004, and another two - Bulgaria and Romania - are due to join 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 href="/1/hi/world/europe/6177223.stm" class="">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. The leaders are expected to agree that institutional reforms of the kind contained in the ill-fated European constitution are necessary before any further expansion.
The view is also 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.
"You have to get your house in order before you take in new members," said Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker."You have to get your house in order before you take in new members," said Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker.
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". Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the EU had to put greater emphasis on "the capacity of the EU to take in new member states".
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." German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the EU had to have tough controls to ensure any new members met the entry criteria.
"I am not saying this as a threat but as an incentive for countries that want to join," she said.
'Turkey problem''Turkey problem'
Now we can have this general debate about enlargement without this Turkey problem Matti VanhanenFinnish PM Q&A: EU enlargement 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 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 welcomed the fact that it would now be possible to have a general debate about enlargement "without this Turkey problem".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".
A spokesman for British Prime Minister Tony Blair said he was "eager to argue the case of Turkish succession" if there was a discussion.A spokesman for British Prime Minister Tony Blair said he was "eager to argue the case of Turkish succession" if there was a discussion.
There are also reports that Mr Blair will ask fellow leaders to express concern about the continuing violence in Sudan.