EU admits 10 states as protesters run riot

AS anti-war protesters rioted in the cradle of democracy, EU leaders finally rolled back the Iron Curtain yesterday by admitting 10 new members.

In a ceremony under the Acropolis, 10 nations signed treaties to join the EU, including eight former communist states cut off from western neighbours until just over a decade ago.

Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis warmly greeted leaders from the candidate states to the Stoa of Attalos, a long two-storey colonnaded building dating back to 150 BC, which was the venue for the 135-minute ceremony.