There were seven arrests. The demonstrators are from a number of groups, including anarchists and anti-capitalists. Some condemned the Charter of Fundamental Rights, saying that it would not encourage higher standards of living and only offers a minimum level of rights. The EU leaders face a tough task over the next four days in agreeing a blueprint for the restructuring of the Union, to ease the admission of new members. Disputes over national interest threaten to prevent agreement being reached, with more than 300 hours of preparatory talks failing to break the deadlock.
Correspondents say there is a real risk of failure.
The summit aims to streamline the EU's institutions and voting procedures so that it can function efficiently with 27 members instead of the present 15. But some countries fear that their interests might be eroded in the name of more efficient decision-making. At present it is possible for each of the 15 member states to be represented on the commission. But it is generally felt that if each of the 27 possible future states were to be represented on the commission, it would become unwieldy. The number of votes wielded by each country within the union is another point that is likely to prove contentious.