EU meets candidates to assess enlargement

Facing another day of protests that have marred their summit with violence, European Union leaders met today with their opposite numbers from a dozen neighbouring nations to assess when they can join the bloc - without committing themselves to an entry date.

In a draft statement, they said their objective remains for the first newcomers to take part in the 2004 European Parliament elections - vague wording that fails to please countries in the fast lane to membership, notably Poland.