France’s immigration and Europe ministers have been discussing the controversial repatriation of Roma from French territory with
the European Justice and Home Affairs commissioners. Brussels is assessing whether the deportations breach EU law.

As citizens of Romania, mostly, Roma have a right to travel to other EU countries, but must have employment to stay more than three months legally in France.

Analyst Anaïs Faure Atger with the Centre for European Policy Studies told euronews: “The Commission’s reaction can be qualified as slow. It came after the Council of Europe’s and the United Nations’ reaction. But it can also be called prudent and firm. Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding said some governments’ positions were openly discriminatory and provocative.”

Italy’s interior minister earlier this month said he would continue to push for EU clearance to expel citizens of other EU states who live solely off state benefits.

France will host a meeting on migration on September 6.

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