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The candidate countries that will join the EU next year have brought new layers of diversity to an already diverse EU. Did they expect it to be so difficult to reach agreement on how the EU should function in the future? Pavel Telicka is the Czech Republics Ambassador to the EU

In the end the biggest disagreement among the 25 nations gathered in Brussels to decide the constitution was voting power. Germany and France, which together account for one-third of the bloc's population want the voting system to reflect their size. That is decision a majority of states representing a majority of population would be enough to take decisions. But Spain and Poland fought a fierce battle to hold on to a voting system agreed three years ago at the Nice summit. This guaranteed both countries 27 votes each in the future enlarged European

Defence policy was also a contentious part of the constitution debate. The mutual defence clause - which obliges EU countries to assist any other member that comes under attack - had originally been objected to by the EU's four neutral countries - Sweden, Finland, Ireland and Austria. Austria has since said it's more willing to accept a revised proposal. But why was the issue so important for Austria?

Among the other issues on the table at Brussels was the heated question of whether to add a reference to Europe's Judeo Christian heritage to the constitution's preamble. Some states like secular France are strongly opposed. In staunchly Roman Catholic Poland, on the other hand, government and opposition have united in calling for a mention of God. Other countries in favour of a reference to Europe's Christian heritage are Ireland, Spain, Italy and, perhaps surprisingly, the Czech Republic.

Until recently the future size of the EU's executive - the Commission - was also creating divisions. The draft constitution proposed 15 voting members of the executive and 10 non-voting ones. Smaller countries feared this would leave them without voting rights on the Commission. The issue now looks resolved - with Members and future members of the European Union having "broadly agreed" to enlarge the body's executive arm so all 25 states will have a commissioner. So who will those future Commissioners be? The Slovak government has less than two

Poland, although by far the largest is just one of ten countries joining the EU next year - so what of the other smaller candidates countries, such as Slovenia? Do they have the same views on issues such as Voting influence? Tanya Fajon Krautberger, is a Brussels-based correspondent for Slovenian Radio and T.V

While defence and the preservation of its neutral status was important to Austria - Hungary had another priority - it wanted the preamble to the constitution to refer to the importance of minorities within Europe's boundaries. It's specific concern - the large Hungarian ethnic minorities in neighbouring countries like Slovakia and Romania. Endre Barcs is a Brussels based Hungarian Television correspondent

An exhibition "Monet and Friends" has just opened at the Museum of Fine arts in Budapest. It is being described as one of the biggest art events in Hungary for several decades. Some 70 impressionist paintings and drawings from European and US museums will be on display until March 15.

Israel's prime minister says anti-Semitism is rising in Europe. He remarks follow a number of attacks on Jews and Jewish interests over the past few months. But is anti-Semitism really increasing across the whole of Europe? And is hostility towards Israeli policy in the Middle East leading to anti-Jewish feeling? Sarah Johnson put the question to Aaron Rhodes, Executive Director of the Vienna-based International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights...

As EU expansion approaches, all eyes are on regulations that will influence daily life in the new member states - but what about ways in which EU policy will influence art, in particular filmmaking? A project led by Austrian EU MP Mercedes Echerer called "EU XXL" has brought together filmmakers from the old and new members to make sure this new era in European cinema gets off to a good start.