The Azerbaijan State News Agency

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EU WARNS FRANCE OF ACTION OVER ROMA

Baku, September 30 (AZERTAC). The European Commission has told France that it faces action over its expulsion of Roma (Gypsy) migrants if it fails to adopt EU rules on freedom of movement by 15 October.

France welcomed the fact that the EU was not accusing it of discrimination.

But Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding said France had not respected a 2004 EU directive on freedom of movement.

The controversial expulsions of thousands of Roma led to a serious row between Brussels and Paris.

Recently Ms Reding compared France`s action to events during World War II.

The accusation drew a sharp rebuke from French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

"France is not enforcing European law as it should on free movement, so we are launching an infringement process against France," Ms Reding told France 24 television.

Ms Reding says France has failed to transpose into law a 2004 EU directive on freedom of movement, which sets out procedures for deporting migrants deemed to be staying illegally.

The Roma sent home to Romania and Bulgaria are EU citizens, so they have the right to move to another EU country. But host countries can deport people considered to be a public security risk or a burden on the welfare system.

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