EU negotiator: New land laws won't discriminate

Poland's chief European Union (EU) negotiator Jan Truszczynski said yesterday that the new law on land purchase by foreign nationals will not discriminate against EU citizens, be it on the basis of nationality, gender, language or faith. He also assured that guidelines will be issued as to how the Interior Ministry will be able to refuse sale of Polish land to foreign nationals. The act, to be enacted on Jan. 1, 2003, will be drawn up in accordance with EU law and will include limitations pertaining to trade of agricultural land. Requirements for purchasing agricultural land will include relevant education as well as proper documentation. Truszczynski emphasized that the new rules will pertain to foreign nationals and Poles alike. Meanwhile, Brussels is continuing to pressure the Polish side to shorten the proposed land lease period by including pre-EU accession years into the calculation. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A4) M.T.K.