Romanian president requests European strategy for nomadic Roma

Romanian President Traian Basescu Wednesday requested that an European strategy be worked out for the Europe-wide integration of nomadic Roma.

Speaking at the Annual Summit of Romanian Diplomats, Basescu reminded that he made the same request in 2008, at the European Council and the latter ask the European Commission to present it such a strategy in the quarter of 2009, for approval.

"Regrettably, several states, probably big contributors to the EU budget, intervened with the Council's decision and the strategy was no longer set in place," said Basescu, adding that Romania continues to call for a strategy for the European integration of Roma.

"We take pride in our protecting the values, habits and culture of minorities ... the question is do we, the EU, have the capacity to find a solution for nomadic Roma? This is part of their cultural specificity," he said.

"Do we have the political will to come up with solutions for nomadic Roma? " he asked rhetorically, stressing that the EU must give an answer, especially after the latest developments in France.

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.

The French Police dismantled more than 50 illegal Roma camps over the past weeks and hundreds residents of these camps have to return to Romania.

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 of them from Romania and Bulgaria. More than 8,000 were repatriated voluntary to their courtiers so far this year.

Source: Xinhua