EU Adopts Justice Reforms, Expanding Role.

The European Union Saturday adopted a package of legal reforms at a summit in Finland aiming to kick-start the bloc_s common approach to refugees, cross-border crime and justice. Lauded as the next bold step in the union_s history after the successful launch of a single currency, the package seeks to bring European integration to areas previously left entirely to national governments. By focusing on the fight against organized crime and illegal immigration, as well as on enhancing freedom to travel, the measures adopted at the summit aim to bring the Union closer to its often skeptical citizens. The EU agreed to simplify extradition rules to crack down on international criminals, although it refused to go as far as endorsing some members_ suggestions that extradition hearings in court be replaced by a "eurowarrant." The EU nations will also start recognizing one another_s judicial decisions, such as court rulings, and introduce a basic level of legal aid for people involved in court proceedings outside their home country. Police forces of member countries will be able to cooperate more closely through a task force of international senior police officers plotting joint actions against cross-border crime. The EU also backed the idea of an international police college for the EU and its would-be members. The EU leaders agreed to forge a common set of asylum and immigration policies by 2004, which would strike a balance between making Europe a safer place for ordinary people and rooting out illegal immigration and cross-border crime. Human rights groups had feared new barriers to refugees would be erected to appease growing anti-foreigner sentiment in many EU countries, but gladly admitted they were proven wrong by the summit_s firm commitment to remain open to asylum seekers. ``You cannot say this document (conclusions of the summit) is Fortress Europe...indeed we believe it is a step away from that,' said a spokesman for the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE).