Stonemasons in the existing European Union are preparing to welcome colleagues from the former Eastern Bloc from 1 May 2004 when the EU expands.

The expansion of the Union was the main topic at the first European Stonemasons\' Congress in Graz, Austria, at the end of last year.

The Austrian Guild of Master Stonemasons were hosted the event, which was intended to cultivate existing international contacts between stone associations and individual firms.

Many employees in Austria and Germany especially worry that the expansion will result in a rush of cheap labour from the east. But the Congress felt the seven-year transition period for absorbing the new countries would smooth economic and social differences.

It was also felt that environmental standards and safety regulations that would be applicable throughout the whole of the expanded EU would reduce any competitive advantage currently enjoyed by countries that do not have to comply with such standards.

And the EU enlargement will add almost 100 million people to the region, in due course creating a single currency market of nearly twice as many inhabitants as the USA at almost 500 million inhabitants.