EU agrees to limit free labor movement

The impasse on labor markets has finally been broken but land purchase is still a major issue.
By : Jeffrey Sparshott

   European Union (EU) diplomats last week agreed that workers in applicant countries would have to wait as long as seven years before they have free access to labor markets across the EU, ending an impasse that had linked the issue with funding for poor regions.

   Spain had blocked formal agreement on a transition period for the free movement of labor, linking the matter to the potential loss of money that now supports economic development in its poorest provinces.

   Spain's peers rejected the linkage, leading the country to back away from its position and agree to a modified version of the ban on workers. Poland had a chance to look at the final draft of the EU's position Friday, when negotiators met in Brussels.

   Poland's government has rejected the ban, which would limit worker access for at least two years before the policy is reviewed and allow individual countries to keep Poles out for as long as seven years. Germany and Austria are the strongest proponents of the measure, citing domestic concerns over an influx of workers from the East.

   Jan Kulakowski, Poland's chief negotiator, last week called the ban unnecessary.

   EU countries also formally adopted their position on land purchases, allowing a transition of up to seven years before foreigners could purchase forest and farm properties. The time span is well short of the 18 years Poland is requesting.