EU extends deadline for ratifying constitution

European Union leaders have extended the November 2006 deadline for ratifying the EU constitution, seeking to salvage the treaty by arguing a period of reflection was needed following its rejection in French and Dutch referenda.

Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, speaking on behalf of EU leaders, said they accepted the treaty would not be ratified by all 25 nations by November 2006, as previously planned. But he said late yesterday that with more time, voters could be persuaded to fall in line.