EU enlargement 'could cause asylum problems'

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has warned European Union justice ministers that enlargement may overwhelm the asylum systems in some new member states.

Ruud Lubbers has said the expansion of the EU in May, coupled with the harmonisation of EU asylum legislation, could lead to an upsurge in the number of asylum seekers coming to Europe.

Mr Lubbers was speaking to members of the press following his address to ministers attending the EU Justice and Home affairs Council in Dublin this afternoon.