Merkel sides with Romania on Gypsy issue

The recent expulsions of the Gypsies, also known as Roma, by the French government raised questions about whether European Union member states may block Romania's entry to Europe's visa-free zone on the ground that the nation is unable to integrate its own Gypsies.

Merkel said Romania will be assessed in November on whether it has fulfilled conditions that guarantee the security of EU borders. Such countries are allowed to grant EU visas for non-EU citizens. Merkel says Romania must show its visa processing is free of corruption.

Germany's chancellor arrived in Romania late Monday after a visit to neighboring Bulgaria. Both countries joined the EU in 2007, but their justice systems have been marred by accusations of corruption. They are both still monitored by the bloc.

In Romania, Merkel met with Prime Minister Emil Boc and President Traian Basescu, and she offered Germany's support to improve the country's access to EU funds.

Romania was allocated billions of euros by the EU to help bring the country closer to the standards of other member states, but due to bureaucracy and inefficiency it has only accessed a fraction of what it could.

Merkel urged Romania to continue reforms and ensure transparency, saying that is important for German investors; Kazinform cites The Arab News.

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