EC Urges France to Keep Rules in Place during Roma Expulsion

Bulgaria in EU | August 18, 2010, Wednesday // 16:11|  views

Roma boys wait to see the World Bank President Robert Zoellick during his visit in the Roma suburb of 'Fakulteta' in Sofia, Bulgaria 10 August 2010. Photo by EPA/BGNES

The European Commission has called on France to stick to the rules concerning the protection of European citizens as the country is preparing to deport to Bulgaria and Romania Roma people, who live in illegal campsites.

“France should respect the rules concerning the freedom of movement and the freedom of establishment that European citizens enjoy,” said Matthew Newman, spokesman for the European justice commissioner, Viviane Reding.

Newman conceded that member states have the right to restrict the movement of freedom under certain conditions, but stressed that the European Commission is following the situation very closely to make sure that the rules are in place.

'The European Commission has constantly defended and continues to defend the need for social integration of the Roma people in all member states of the union,” Amelia Torres, spokeswoman for EU Competition Commissioner, commented on her part.

France will begin deporting Roma on Thursday by putting them on flights to their native countries.

A total of 700 Roma will be sent back home by the end of August via air flights. The flights to Bulgaria and Romania are scheduled for August 19 and 26 and will use private air carriers from State airports. A third flight is planned for the end of September.

Most of the Roma in France came from Bulgaria and Romania after the two countries joined the EU in 2007 and are seen by the majority of the French as a threat to security.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!


Tags: National Identity and Mutually-Supportive Development, Integration, French Minister of Immigration, Romanian Roma, Bulgarian Roma, Eric Besson, illegal camp, Roma, deport, Brice Hortefeux, French Interior Minister, France, European Commission

Back  

» Related Articles:

Search

Search