Brussels, 05/12/2001 (Agence Europe) - The lengthy discussions that the Permanent Representatives of the Fifteen had on Wednesday on the European arrest warrant provided a more precise view of the problems, but all will depend on how discussions go in Council (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.10). For the level below which a State may verify dual incrimination, there seems to be a move towards a two-year compromise. The date of entry in force of the arrest warrant procedure is said still to be 1 January 2004. Italy still wants to limit the field of application to six infringements and limit the "retroactive" application of the procedure. Opinion is divided on this issue - no time limit, application of new mandate to crimes committed from 1993 onwards (when the Maastricht Treaty came into force), or application from 1 January 2004 onwards (requested by Italy). It might be possible to reach a compromise position on an "à la carte" formulation which would make it easier to get Italy's agreement. The extradition of a Member State's own citizens is still causing problems for Austria.