Romanian Authorities Urge Nomadic Roma To “Get Used To Work,” Send Children To School

"Discussions with [Bulgarian] President Parvanov have confirmed we have the same position, a European position. At the same time, I must repeat that every European citizen has rights, but also obligations. This applies to the nomadic Roma community too. I would like to point out that Romania has a special relationship with France, laid down in a strategic partnership within the EU, which is working very well, and I am confident we can solve this issue within the Romania-France relationship. But we support the real resolution of the nomadic Roma issue and for that we need a European strategy," said Basescu after a meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart Georgi Parvanov.

"One more thing: many politicians talk about the 12-14 million Roma in the EU, spread out over almost every member state. But the EU does not have to integrate 14 million Roma. Most of them are integrated (…). The issue is with nomadic Roma, a part of this minority," said Basescu.

He added that solutions must be found for nomadic Roma when they settle on the outskirts of a community.

"How do we create conditions for seasonal work, for income, for healthcare, how do we create conditions for the children of Roma families, living in a camp on the edge of Bucharest, or Sofia, or Paris, to go to school? I assure you that Romania would be willing to send teachers to these temporary camps. Also, once we provide them with work, healthcare and education for their children, my question, Which I'm addressing publicly because I am calling for an end to hypocrisy, is will nomadic Roma families be willing to go to work?" said the Romanian head of state.

Basescu also said Romania "cannot accept restrictions on the free movement of any of its citizens," and that EU Directive 38/2004, guaranteeing free movement in the Union, must be respected by all.

"Romania supports the need to develop a European strategy for Roma integration. Given the right of any European citizen to move inside the Union, our position is that the issue of nomadic Roma does not concern the state of origin exclusively. At the same time, we are calling for an end to hypocrisy. Of course we are defending our citizens, but at the same time, Romanian citizens, including nomadic ethnic Roma, must obey the laws of their host state. And, why not, the customs of the communities around which they settle. Romanian authorities are making a firm request to the nomadic Roma minority to make a custom out of working and sending their children to school," Basescu concluded.

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