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EU summit focuses on constitution Europe's leaders ponder EU growth
(about 2 hours later)
Reform of European Union institutions is set to dominate the second and final day of its year-end summit in Brussels. European Union leaders are trying to settle on terms to define the future size and shape of the EU.
Finnish PM Matti Vanhanen said the new constitution, rejected last year by French and Dutch voters, should not be thrown out entirely. On the second and final day of a summit in Brussels, they are expected to say that future membership hopefuls will face a tougher examination than ever.
EU leaders are also pledging a strategy on migration and may endorse a compromise on future EU enlargement. The leaders are likely to endorse a slowdown in Turkey's application.
Finland holds the EU presidency until the end of the month when it hands over to Germany. Reform of European Union institutions and the future of the EU constitution, rejected last year by French and Dutch voters, are also seen as a priority.
On 1 January, the EU body increases to 27 countries with the accession of new members Bulgaria and Romania. On enlargement, EU leaders are expected to endorse a compromise that will ease voter concerns in many countries but not close the door to aspiring members.
'Real progress'
BBC world affairs correspondent Nick Childs says there is a clear message from the summit that constitutional reform in the EU is back on the agenda.
Mr Vanhanen said member states had moved from a period of silent reflection after the French and Dutch rejections of the new constitution to what he called more active thinking.
We understand the need to combine the strategic vision of enlargement with the capacity of integration of the European Union Jose Manuel Barroso,Commission president Leaders tackle EU future Q&A: EU enlargement We understand the need to combine the strategic vision of enlargement with the capacity of integration of the European Union Jose Manuel Barroso,Commission president Leaders tackle EU future Q&A: EU enlargement
He pointed out that 18 countries had ratified the constitution and that member states agreed treaty reform was necessary. With Romania and Bulgaria joining the EU on 1 January, some Europeans feel the bloc has stretched too far too fast.
The president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, said he believed there would be real progress during the German presidency. The compromise is likely to require strict adherence to accession criteria but would not erect any new hurdles for applicants.
However, our correspondent says the issue of reform of institutions, and of decision-making procedures, is likely to remain controversial. EU foreign ministers this week decided to partially suspend accession talks with Turkey because of Ankara's failure to open its sea and air ports to EU-member Cyprus - a decision likely to be endorsed by the heads of government.
On the equally difficult issue of enlargement, EU leaders are expected to endorse a compromise to ease voter concerns in many countries. The tougher EU line will affect such hopefuls for membership as Serbia, Macedonia and Croatia, which is hoping to join as soon as 2009.
The compromise would require strict adherence to accession criteria for aspiring states but would not, in Mr Vanhanen's words, close any doors. Consensus for reform
Mr Barroso added: "We understand the need to combine the strategic vision of enlargement with the capacity of integration of the European Union." The BBC's Tim Franks in Brussels says a draft of the summit's final communique, which was worked on during the night, stresses that the EU should still be able to function effectively with new member states inside the rope.
EU foreign ministers this week decided to partially suspend accession talks with Turkey because of Ankara's failure to open its sea and air ports to EU-member Cyprus. Reform of EU institutions is therefore set to be a key focus of debate.
The tougher EU line will affect such hopefuls for membership as Serbia, Croatia and Macedonia. Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen said there was a consensus for reform, but warned against throwing out the EU constitution, pointing out that 18 countries had ratified it.
On migration, the summit has endorsed plans to boost patrols off Spain and Italy as tens of thousands of people continue to try to reach Europe from Africa each year. Mr Vanhanen said member states had moved from a period of silent reflection after the French and Dutch rejections of the new constitution to what he called more active thinking.
Finland will hand over the presidency of the EU to Germany in January, after which reform and a possible revival of the constitution are expected to be central issues.
EU leaders are also pledging a strategy on migration.
The summit has endorsed plans to boost patrols off Spain and Italy as tens of thousands of people continue to try to reach Europe from Africa each year.
There will also be laws drafted to allow in skilled African workers and more aid measures to tackle African poverty.There will also be laws drafted to allow in skilled African workers and more aid measures to tackle African poverty.
The EU leaders are to endorse their conclusions from the summit at about 0900 GMT and a press conference will follow at 1200 GMT.