France, Romania Ink Controversial Roma Repatriation Deal

The French authorities continue their crackdowns on Roma camps across France. File photo, EPA/BGNES

France and Romania have signed a two-year deal on the voluntary repatriation of Roma EU citizens to Romania.

The document was signed during a ceremony that was held at the Victoria Palace.

The deal, which appears to violate the free movement of people within the bloc, is part of France's efforts to send hundreds of Roma living in camps near French cities back to the Balkan country.

Around 80 families will return to Romania under the pilot programme signed by French Interior Minister Manuel Valls and European Affairs Minister Bernard Cazeneuve during talks with Romanian officials in Bucharest, according to international media.

"We wish to send a message to the public that ... our joint efforts should be focussed on a solution in which the Roma settle in their country of origin, Romania," Valls has declared after meeting with Romanian PM Victor Ponta.

Valls has claimed that the French police's raids to dismantle Roma camps have been "on health grounds."

French authorities have already been criticized this summer for sanctioning the dismantling of Roma camps and repatriating hundreds of their residents to Bulgaria and Romania.

There are an estimated 15 000 Roma living in temporary camps in and around French cities.

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