EU unlikely to meet Polish demands after agreement of other candidates

There is no hope for any joint negotiating stance among Central European countries in their talks with the European Union (EU), as Hungary and the Czech Republic are ready to agree to EU restrictions. This means that there is virtually no chance of the EU acceding to Poland's demands of immediate access to West European labor markets, as other leading candidates will agree to a transition period of up to seven years. Another key issue on which Poland is the only country not willing to meet EU proposals is that of land purchase by EU citizens. Poland was demanding an18-year transition period, but on Sunday Foreign Minister Wladyslaw Bartoszewski said that the government might consider moderating this view to better accommodate foreign investment. However, he stressed that in case of agricultural land, the massive price difference between Poland and western Europe must be reduced before free sales to foreigners are allowed. (Gazeta Wyborcza, June 9-10, p.27; Reuters) T.J.