Common rules on asylum planned

EU leaders have asked the Commission to propose measures to harmonise rules governing asylum in Europe. During a discussion on justice and home affairs policies, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, reported to the leaders on the deaths of eight refugees in a container in Wexford.

He said that, because the 15 member-states interpret the Geneva Convention in different ways, some countries have more generous asylum policies than others. He hopes that the Commission will present within a few months proposals that would create "a more level playing field" on asylum.

But he said that providing assistance to poorer countries was the key to reducing the numbers seeking asylum in Europe.

"The real solution is to do more for people in their home countries," he said.

The leaders began yesterday's meeting with a discussion of the measures they have taken in response to the attacks in New York and Washington on September 11th. They formally adopted a European Arrest Warrant which will make extradition for some offences automatic within the EU.

Agreement on the warrant was made possible when Italy dropped its insistence that the number of offences should be reduced.

Italy has indicated, however, that it may not implement the warrant at the same time as other member-states, on January 1st, 2004.

Mr Ahern expressed satisfaction that Ireland had secured important concessions during negotiations on the warrant. These include a guarantee that the Irish authorities will only be obliged to extradite persons to face trial or serve a prison sentence.

"We have got all the protection we required built into the European Arrest Warant. It doesn't create any difficulties in the domestic scene," he said.