Sarkozy aims to calm gypsy row

PRESIDENT Sarkozy, who is attending a European summit today in Brussels, is expected to try to mend relations with the EU after rows over gypsy expulsions.

The issue is expected to play a major part at the summit, which theoretically is meant to be about economics.

There have already been mutual attempts to calm matters between the European Commission and France after the commissioner in charge of justice, Viviane Reding, said earlier this week she wanted to start legal action over the expulsions and seemed to compare France to the Nazis.

She said the fundamental values on which the EU was constructed after the Second World War were “no more mass deportations, no more people being stigmatised for belonging to a race…”

President Sarkozy then made things worse by suggesting, during an official Elysée dinner, that Ms Reding’s home country, Luxembourg, should offer a home to Roms.

Last night Ms Reding apologised, saying that she had not meant to make a link between the Second World War and France today and she regretted “interpretations which distract attention away from the real problem, which we now have to resolve.”

The Elysée put out a statement acknowledging the “apology for her outrageous remarks.”

Sarkozy, who is convinced the expulsions do not break any EU laws, has said he will explain himself to his peers in Brussels.

France’s position is that the traveller camp clearances and expulsions are not to do with race or nationality but because the people concerned are not legally resident.

Several countries have expressed concerns over France’s actions, including Germany, Austria and the USA. The European Parliament also called on France to suspend the expulsions last week.

Related stories
New closure orders do not target Roma
Ministry document targeted Roma
France defies Eu over gypsy flights
Photo: Medef