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Europe's leaders ponder EU growth EU to get tougher on new members
(about 2 hours later)
European Union leaders are trying to settle on terms to define the future size and shape of the EU. European Union leaders meeting in Brussels are due to signal that new countries wanting to join the bloc will face a tougher examination than ever.
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. Draft conclusions of the EU summit in Brussels also say further expansion is dependent on the EU's ability to continue working effectively.
The leaders are likely to endorse a slowdown in Turkey's application. The leaders are said to have agreed that the EU's rulebook needs reforming.
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. They will also say the EU must do more to fight crime - but will not give up their veto in the area of home affairs.
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. The summit is also set to:
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  • Confirm a slow-down in talks on Turkey's membership of the EU
  • Endorse plans to increase sea patrols for the purpose of turning back African migrants
  • Accuse Iran of destabilising the Middle East and condemn it for questioning the Nazi Holocaust
  • Express deep concern about the deteriorating situation in Darfur
  • Endorse a five-point Middle-East peace initiative
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 href="/1/hi/world/europe/6177223.stm" class="">Leaders tackle EU future href="/1/hi/world/europe/2266385.stm" class="">Q&A: EU enlargement The summit's draft conclusions put no new hurdles in the path of would-be members.
With Romania and Bulgaria joining the EU on 1 January, some Europeans feel the bloc has stretched too far too fast. However, the leaders have said candidate countries must make progress on judicial reform and the fight against corruption earlier in the accession process.
The compromise is likely to require strict adherence to accession criteria but would not erect any new hurdles for applicants. Treaty reform
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. "To sustain the integration capacity of the EU the acceding countries must be ready and able to fully assume the obligations of Union membership and the Union must be able to function effectively and develop," the draft conclusions say.
The tougher EU line will affect such hopefuls for membership as Serbia, Macedonia and Croatia, which is hoping to join as soon as 2009. 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 href="/1/hi/world/europe/6177223.stm" class="">Leaders tackle EU future href="/1/hi/world/europe/2266385.stm" class="">Q&A: EU enlargement "Both these aspects are essential for ensuring public support."
Consensus for reform The draft conclusions do not explicitly say that further enlargement - after Bulgaria and Romania join on 1 January - is conditional on reform of EU institutions.
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. However, the UK's view that there should be "no automatic link" is not shared by all countries.
Reform of EU institutions is therefore set to be a key focus of debate.
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.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.
Migration strategy
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.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.
HAVE YOUR SAY Expansion needs to stop for a simple reason: it has no purpose at this point Anon, Sofia Send us your views 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. HAVE YOUR SAY Expansion needs to stop for a simple reason: it has no purpose at this point Anon, Sofia Send us your views
EU leaders are also pledging a strategy on migration. 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.
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. The decision to drop from the draft statement all mention of removing the national veto on police and judicial co-operation was reportedly made at the insistence of the UK, Poland and the Czech Republic.
There will also be laws drafted to allow in skilled African workers and more aid measures to tackle African poverty. However, the draft statement still says that the "framework" for pursuing EU policies in this area needs to be strengthened.
In addition to endorsing extra sea patrols to locate migrants, EU leaders are also pledging a strategy on migration.
Laws will be drafted to allow in skilled African workers and more aid measures to tackle African poverty.