Protest turns violent as EU signs up new members

As anti-war protesters rioted in the streets of the city that gave birth to European democracy, the leaders of 25 nations gathered today to sign treaties sweeping away the 20th century’s Iron Curtain divide.

Meeting in the shadow of the ancient Acropolis, 10 nations will sign treaties joining the European Union – including eight former Communist countries cut off from their western neighbours until little more than a decade ago.