France urged to observe EU principle on Roma issue
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Whatever measure French authorities might take on the Roma issue, they must observe the EU principle of the free movement of persons, Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi said Thursday.
"I voiced concern over the situation created by the domestic security measures reached by the French authorities and the public stance expressed by French officials on this issue," Baconschi said when meeting with Eric Besson, the French minister for Immigration, Integration and National Identity, and Pierre Lellouche, the secretary of state for European affairs.
"I reiterated firmly the idea that any measure envisaged by the French authorities must observe the principle of the free movement of persons and the warranties offered to citizens by Directive 2004/38/EC," Baconschi said.
The minister said he had a direct and open dialogue with the French officials and that each side delivered its message on the subject.
The Romanian foreign minister once again emphasized during the talks that all Romanian citizens, Roma ethnics included, are European citizens and, by virtue of that status, cannot have their right to the freedom of movement restricted.
Baconschi also stressed that community legislation states the strict conditions under which EU citizens can be expelled from the territory of an EU member state -- an exceptional measure that can only be applied individually.
Hundreds of Roma were sent back to Romania after French President Nicolas Sarkozy vowed in July to launch a war against delinquency and tight control of criminals disturbing the public order following two violent riots in central and south France.
France intends to repatriate 700 Romanians at the end of this month despite criticism accusing Sarkozy of feeding racism and creating more violence.
Romanian and French officials target to cement links to trim illegal immigration and find concrete social and economic alternatives to facilitate Roma integration in both countries.
As many as 15,000 Roma are living in France, mostly from Romania and Bulgaria. More than 8,000 have been voluntarily repatriated to their countries this year.
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