French Journalist: Bulgaria Became Informal EU Reporter

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (L) and French President Nicolas Sarkozy (R) during the family photo event at the one-day European Council summit, on September 16, 2010, in Brussels. Photo by BGNES

Through the debate on the Roma crisis, Sofia finally found its spot and became the informal reporter of remarks between the great powers, according to Alexandre Levi from the French "Le Monde."

In his private blogue, Levi writes it was Bulgarian Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, who actually revealed there has been a clash between French President, Nikolas Sarkozy, and the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso during the summit of EU leaders Thursday, citing Borisov telling the French National Radio the meeting had been dominated by strong words, nearing a scandal.

"In his role as a reporter from the EU summit, the Bulgarian Prime Minister announced the prevalent opinion was the Roma are nomad tribes, and need to be given the opportunity to travel free," Levi writes.

The author further points out Borisov explained Sofia's silence regarding Roma crisis in Europe with the desire to stay away from the hostile environment in Brussels. He expresses dismay at the lack of any declaration on the part of the Bulgarian PM, and the way the Bulgarian cabinet is distancing itself from the problem even though their country is affected directly by it.

The journalist cites Borisov's explanation that Bulgaria wants to enter the Schengen zone without swimming in murky waters, and reminds how French EU minister Pierre Lellouche threatened Bucharest and Sofia that such entry could be jeopardize over the Roma issue.

Levi points out that since the very beginning of the crisis, the Bulgarian authorities have attempted to extenuate the problem, stressing on the small number of Bulgarian Roma to be deported – 41, according to Bulgaria and 53, according to the French police.

"The Bulgarian cabinet even choose to turn its back to some critics accusing the country in segregating the Roma population," the journalist writes.