Romania, France To Request Extra Funds For Roma Inclusion Projects From EC – Labor Min

Seitan said Romania needs more than the EUR4 million allotted by the EC for Roma inclusion projects, wishing to expand the programs concerning this minority.

Following new security measures announced by President Nicolas Sarkozy in late-July, France has sent sending dozens of Romanian citizens of Roma ethnicity who chose a voluntary repatriation program to Bucharest and Timisoara (western Romania). The program began on August 19 and the Romanian Government forecasts 371 Roma will be repatriated by August 26.

State secretaries Valentin Mocanu, in charge with Roma issues in relation to France, and Valentin Fatuloiu, head of the Public Order and Safety Department, took part Wednesday in a meeting in Paris with French Immigration Minister Eric Besson, Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux and state secretary for European Affairs Pierre Lellouche on the situation of repatriated Roma.

Bresson, cited by AFP, said the meeting was marked by a "constructive, friendly atmosphere." He promised better cooperation in integrating Romanians in their own country and expressed his wish that "Romanian local authorities would be more involved."

Fatuloiu said French-Romanian relations have been "excellent for centuries" and pointed out that the Roma issue is not a subject of tensions between the two states. He also said Romania will use European funds to implement a series of affirmative action strategies, towards a better social reintegration policy.

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