European Commission head voices support for transition on free flow of labor

European Commission President Romano Prodi said that the EU should allay fears that East European workers will flood Western Europe from new EU member states by having a transition of free movement of labor. "If we wait a few years for the free movement of labor it is not a tragedy, provided that we are wise in [creating] a timetable," Prodi said. The statement was one of the strongest to date from a top EU official appearing to back a plan advanced by German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder for a transitional period for up to seven years for free movement of workers from countries joining the EU. Prodi added, however, that a mechanism should be found to permit shortening the transition periods if experience shows the fears of the EU turn out unfounded. Prodi said also that transition could be seen as quid pro quo, in which joining countries would be permitted to curb the sale of land to foreigners. Germany and Austria, the two main supporters of transition periods, fear opening EU labor markets immediately to new members could lead to a rush of foreign job seekers, giving rise to a right-wing political backlash. (Reuters) A.D.