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EU reaches consensus on expansion EU finds consensus on expansion
(30 minutes later)
European Union leaders meeting in Brussels have reached a new consensus on the terms for accepting new members.European Union leaders meeting in Brussels have reached a new consensus on the terms for accepting new members.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said applicants had to meet strict conditions, and the process depended on reform of EU institutions.European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said applicants had to meet strict conditions, and the process depended on reform of EU institutions.
Correspondents say this signals that countries wanting to join the bloc will face a tougher examination than ever.Correspondents say this signals that countries wanting to join the bloc will face a tougher examination than ever.
However EU leaders have said there are no new criteria for membership and that the EU's doors are open.However EU leaders have said there are no new criteria for membership and that the EU's doors are open.
They also agreed that the EU must do more to fight crime - but failed to agree on the "institutional framework" for co-operation in this area.They also agreed that the EU must do more to fight crime - but failed to agree on the "institutional framework" for co-operation in this area.
Some countries wanted to drop the national veto on police and judicial co-operation and to adopt policies in this area by majority vote, but the UK and some other states successfully opposed the move. Some countries wanted to drop the national veto on police and judicial co-operation and switch to majority voting, but the UK and some other states successfully opposed the move.
The summit also:
  • Confirmed a slow-down in talks on Turkey's membership of the EU
  • Endorsed plans to increase sea patrols for the purpose of turning back African migrants
  • Accused Iran of destabilising the Middle East and condemned it for questioning the Nazi Holocaust
  • Expressed deep concern about the deteriorating situation in Darfur
  • Endorsed a five-point Middle-East peace initiative
The summit also:
  • Confirmed a slow-down in talks on Turkey's membership of the EU
  • Endorsed plans to increase sea patrols for the purpose of turning back African migrants
  • Accused Iran of destabilising the Middle East and condemned it for questioning the Nazi Holocaust
  • Expressed deep concern about the deteriorating situation in Darfur
  • Endorsed a five-point Middle-East peace initiative
Treaty reformTreaty reform
"Past enlargements have been successful. Today we mapped out the best ways to ensure that future enlargements will also be successful," said Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, who chaired the summit."Past enlargements have been successful. Today we mapped out the best ways to ensure that future enlargements will also be successful," said Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, who chaired the summit.
"It is important that the candidate countries meet the requirements and that the union is able to function effectively and to develop.""It is important that the candidate countries meet the requirements and that the union is able to function effectively and to develop."
This summit sends the message that ours will remain an open house Jose Manuel Barroso,Commission president Q&A: EU enlargement This summit sends the message that ours will remain an open house Jose Manuel Barroso,Commission president Q&A: EU enlargement
The summit's final statement was not expected to say explicitly that further enlargement - after Bulgaria and Romania join on 1 January - is conditional on reform of EU institutions.The summit's final statement was not expected to say explicitly that further enlargement - after Bulgaria and Romania join on 1 January - is conditional on reform of EU institutions.
However, Mr Barroso said institutional reform formed part of the consensus on enlargement - along with strict conditions for new members and better communication to convince citizens of its importance.However, Mr Barroso said institutional reform formed part of the consensus on enlargement - along with strict conditions for new members and better communication to convince citizens of its importance.
Mr Vanhanen said earlier that the leaders had agreed that EU treaties needed to be reformed, and that they could not "throw out the entire text" of the ill-fated European constitution.Mr Vanhanen said earlier that the leaders had agreed that EU treaties needed to be reformed, and that they could not "throw out the entire text" of the ill-fated European constitution.
Migration strategyMigration strategy
HAVE YOUR SAY Expansion needs to stop for a simple reason: it has no purpose at this point Anon, Sofia Send us your views Mr Barroso said the summit had agreed on the importance of a "comprehensive approach to global migration policy".HAVE YOUR SAY Expansion needs to stop for a simple reason: it has no purpose at this point Anon, Sofia Send us your views Mr Barroso said the summit had agreed on the importance of a "comprehensive approach to global migration policy".
This would be one of the main topics at an EU-Africa summit to be held in Lisbon in the second half of 2007, he said.This would be one of the main topics at an EU-Africa summit to be held in Lisbon in the second half of 2007, he said.
In addition to endorsing extra sea patrols to locate migrants, EU leaders are also pledging a strategy on migration.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.Laws will be drafted to allow in skilled African workers and more aid measures to tackle African poverty.