The European Union failed for a second successive day today to clinch a deal on an EU-wide arrest warrant aimed at boosting the fight against terrorism, because of a row between Italy and the 14 other member states.
Belgium, which holds the EU's rotating presidency, had proposed an ambitious warrant to cover 32 crimes ranging from terrorism to corruption. But Italy wants a more limited warrant covering fewer crimes and not including fraud and corruption.
"It's over (for today). Consultations will continue with Italy over the next few days," one EU diplomat said.
Italy is under intense pressure from its partners to stop blocking the agreement, part of the EU's efforts to combat international crime and terrorism in the wake of the September 11th attacks on the United States.
"There is very little room for maneuver. If we change too much, we will again have to get the agreement of all 15," said one Belgian diplomat.
If ministers fail to get an accord, the problem will have to be tackled by the 15 EU leaders at their summit in Laeken, Belgium, on December 14th.
The rest of the EU has publicly criticized Italy, saying failure to secure the warrant would boost organized crime and undermine the bloc's credibility in the US-led campaign against terrorism.