European Union justice ministers hope finalise an EU/US accord on extradition by the end of April. The proposed deal is part of the ongoing response to the September 11th attacks on the US.
Sources say it is hoped that details will be agreed in time for the next meeting of justice ministers on April 25th.
However, the EU currently will not send people to face trial in countries where they may be put to death.
Meeting in Spain on February 15th, the same ministers said any deal would have to respect European principles on legal and human rights and offer guarantees against the death penalty.
Diplomats said the 15 ministers agreed that the EU and Spain, holder of its six-month rotating presidency, should continue informal talks with the US about improving judicial cooperation.
Diplomats said it remained unclear whether an EU/US agreement on mutual legal assistance - including extradition - would offer more than existing bilateral agreements between the United States and the EU's member states.