Welcome to the world of JAR, buddy.
Before July 1st 1999 it was'nt a problem, but now they just seem to want to make life hard for pilots in general and for converting pilots in particular.
I myself am a brit with FAA CPL/IR and I can stick it where the sun does'nt shine, if I want to live/work in europe.
If you get any wiser on this issue I would be very interested in hearing about it.
Good luck
DT