Rome: Preparations for signing of EU constitution

EU leaders have gathered in Rome for the signing of the first-ever EU constitution. Prime Ministers and Foriegn Ministers of 29 countries are present at the ceremony at the Piazza Campidoglio. Twenty-five of them are due to sign the constitution, while Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey are present as candidate countries and Croatia as an observer.
The final version of the constitution will also be signed by these countries.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is hosting the ceremony, which is due to start with speeches by key EU leaders ahead of the signing event itself.

The Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to meet the British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero in Italy.