Enlargement restricted by lack of space

Date: 13/11/1997

By Rory Watson

A WHOLE host of political, economic and strategic arguments are being wheeled out to justify, or to knock down, various target dates for the Union's enlargement eastwards.

But the arrival of the next wave of new members could ultimately be determined by an altogether more mundane factor: the size of the Council of Ministers' headquarters in Brussels.

The current Justus Lipsius premises are already filled to overflowing after only two years. If the 11 applicants were given the same facilities as those for existing member states, at least 70% more space would be required.

To concentrate governments' minds on the practicalities of enlargement, a Council working group has warned in an internal paper setting out possible options for meeting the challenge that "it takes five to seven years to complete a new building". But a final decision is unlikely before next year, potentially pushing completion of any project back to 2005.

On the assumption that 11 new member states, with 11 new languages, join the EU over the next decade, the group estimates that the number of people using the Council premises regularly could increase from 4,500 to 7,500.

It is recommending that the Justus Lipsius building remain the main conference centre and venue for ministerial, ambassadorial and high-level meetings. It also suggests constructing new, purpose-built premises nearby for lower-profile meetings, and says thought should be given to renting or buying administrative buildings for the Council's own secretariat when the need arises.

The group has also looked for ways of improving Council working practices. It suggests there is scope for smaller delegations, limiting the length and number of meetings, using modern technology to avoid placing interpreters in the same room as delegates, and "considering oval tables".

Enlargement of the EU will pose space problems for the Council of Ministers.