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EU summit focuses on constitution EU summit focuses on constitution
(about 1 hour later)
Reform of European Union institutions is set to dominate the second and final day of its year-end summit in Brussels.Reform of European Union institutions is set to dominate the second and final day of its year-end summit in Brussels.
Finnish PM Matti Vanhanen said the new constitution, rejected last year by French and Dutch voters, should not be thrown out entirely.Finnish PM Matti Vanhanen said the new constitution, rejected last year by French and Dutch voters, should not be thrown out entirely.
EU leaders are also pledging a strategy on migration and may endorse a compromise on future EU enlargement.EU leaders are also pledging a strategy on migration and may endorse a compromise on future EU enlargement.
Finland holds the EU presidency until the end of the month when it hands over to Germany.Finland holds the EU presidency until the end of the month when it hands over to Germany.
On 1 January, the EU body increases to 27 countries with the accession of new members Bulgaria and Romania.On 1 January, the EU body increases to 27 countries with the accession of new members Bulgaria and Romania.
'Real progress''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.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.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.He pointed out that 18 countries had ratified the constitution and that member states agreed treaty reform was necessary.
The president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, said he believed there would be real progress during the German presidency.The president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, said he believed there would be real progress during the German presidency.
However, our correspondent says the issue of reform is likely to remain controversial. However, our correspondent says the issue of reform of institutions, and of decision-making procedures, is likely to remain controversial.
On the equally difficult issue of enlargement, EU leaders are expected to endorse a compromise to ease voter concerns in many countries.On the equally difficult issue of enlargement, EU leaders are expected to endorse a compromise to ease voter concerns in many countries.
The compromise would require strict adherence to accession criteria for aspiring states but would not, in Mr Vanhanen's words, close any doors.The compromise would require strict adherence to accession criteria for aspiring states but would not, in Mr Vanhanen's words, close any doors.
Mr Barroso added: "We understand the need to combine the strategic vision of enlargement with the capacity of integration of the European Union."Mr Barroso added: "We understand the need to combine the strategic vision of enlargement with the capacity of integration of the European Union."
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.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.
The tougher EU line will affect such hopefuls for membership as Serbia, Croatia and Macedonia.The tougher EU line will affect such hopefuls for membership as Serbia, Croatia and Macedonia.
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.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.The EU leaders are to endorse their conclusions from the summit at about 0900 GMT and a press conference will follow at 1200 GMT.