The accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union made possible the unification of far-right leaders from across the block, The British Telegraph reported.

Far-right leaders from across the European Union has announced that they have formed a parliamentary group, calling itself "Identity, Tradition and Sovereignty," with sufficient numbers to qualify for EU funding.

The group, which includes Jean-Marie Le Pen, the French National Front leader, plans to confirm its official status at the opening session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Monday.

After years of behind-the- scenes planning, the group said it had finally achieved the necessary quota of 20 MEPS to form an official parliamentary bloc, thanks to several new arrivals from the latest countries to join the EU - Bulgaria and Romania.

The Telegraph claims Bulgaria's Dimitar Stoyanov is expected to be a leading light of the Identity, Tradition and Sovereignty Group despite being only 23 and the European Parliament's youngest MEP. The deputy for Bulgaria's ultra-nationalist Ataka party does not hide his views on Bulgaria's Roma minority and Jews.

Only one member of the group, the British independent MEP Ashley Mote, has yet to submit his written confirmation of adherence to the group. Mr Mote is understood to have agreed verbally to participate but was travelling yesterday and unavailable for comment.

The group's proposed chairman, Bruno Gollnisch, also a member of France's NF party, said yesterday that far from being a bunch of skinhead thugs, as critics suggest, the group is led by businessmen, academics and teachers who represent 23.7 million voters across the EU.

"If the group secures recognition from the European Parliament, it would be eligible for EU campaign funds of more than ВЈ800,000 in 2007," a EU official told The Telegraph.

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