Bulgarian PM: We Don't Have Problems with France on Roma

Bulgaria in EU | September 7, 2010, Tuesday // 12:41|  views

Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov (L) during his meeting with Jose Maria Aznar (R) in Sofia Tuesday. Photo by BGNES.

Bulgaria does not have problems with France's actions regarding Roma, unlike Romania, stated Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov Tuesday.

He was replying to questions after meeting ex Spanish PM Jose Maria Aznar in Sofia, as reported by BGNES.

Borisov's words went largely unnoticed by Bulgarian media, but they solidify an impression of passiveness and acceptance on the part of the Bulgarian government, especially when compared to its Romanian neighbors, who have seriously questioned the French move and have had a number of bilateral meetings of high-ranking government officials.

In the past weeks, the French government launched a campaign heralded by President Nicholas Sarkozy targeting Roma residing in France, the stated aim of which is to increase security and reduce crime.

The French government has vowed to expel illegal residents and criminals and in August started sending back Roma from Bulgaria and Romania to their home countries. It insists that this is not 'expulsion' or 'deportation', but rather voluntary on the part of the Roma people.

This campaign has provoked criticism and even outrage among human rights groups across Europe, vast segments of French society and some representatives of EU institutions, in particular the European Parliament.

The Romanian government has reacted strongly to France's actions, demanding explanation and justification that it does not breach human rights and EU laws.

Its Bulgarian counterpart, however, has remained largely passive and has not issued any resolute statements on the matter.

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Tags: deportation, European parliament, EU, human rights, Romania, France, Roma, Boyko Borisov, Jose Maria Aznar

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