The United States and the European Union signed an...

The United States and the European Union signed an extradition treaty at a summit aimed to boost cooperation in the fight against terrorism and in bringing suspects swiftly to trial. US Attorney General John Ashcroft and Greek Justice Minister Philippos Petsalnikos, representing the EU, signed the treaty as well as a second accord on broader legal cooperation between the parties. "Both the United States and the EU are threatened by global terror. And we are determined to defeat it," US President George W. Bush told reporters, with EU leaders on hand. The new arrangements will not replace bilateral accords already made between the United States and several EU member nations. But the provisions will prevail over existing bilateral accords for "specified criminal offences" punishable by at least one year in jail. The agreement guarantees for a suspect "the right to a fair trial including the "right to adjudication by an impartial tribunal established pursuant to law." The provisions underline the European Union's categorical opposition to the trial of any of its nationals by special military tribunals such as those announced by Washington after the September 11, 2001 attacks. EU members, which all oppose the death penalty, get assurance under the treaty that no EU citizen extradited to the United States, which enforces capital punishment, will be put to death. "The requested state may grant extradition on the condition that the death penalty shall not be imposed on the person sought," according to the treaty.