Efforts to agree a European Union-wide extradition deal with the United States are running into trouble over the death penalty.
Some EU countries refuse to extradite individuals to any country that retains execution as a punishment option.
Although that would not prevent Britain extraditing a suspect to the US, pressure is now mounting for a comprehensive European agreement to guarantee extradition from any of the 15 EU member states if requested by the US.
Belgian Justice Minister Mr Marc Verwilghen warned today there was little chance of some EU countries backing an extradition accord while America retains the death penalty.
"It depends on the will of the United States to co-operate. We always have said in the EU that the execution of the death penalty is not an option," he said.
The search for an EU-US extradition accord has been a low priority aim for years. But after the terror attacks in America, EU home affairs ministers have asked for detailed proposals from officials in time for talks in Brussels in November.
Yesterday EU ambassadors put the issue of "mutual penal assistance" between Europe and America on a lengthy "check list" of counter-terrorism measures approved last week.
This list includes an EU-wide arrest warrant and greater cross-border police co-operation.
PA