EU: UK Can't Extend Curb on Bulgarian, Romanian Migrants

Bulgaria in EU | February 14, 2013, Thursday| 973 views

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Bulgaria: EU: UK Can't Extend Curb on Bulgarian, Romanian Migrants

Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission and European Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenships. Photo by EPA/BGNES

EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding has warned that it will not be possible for Britain to restrict the freedom of movement of Bulgarians and Romanians when transitional controls are lifted.

Reding said on Thursday that from 2014, Romanian and Bulgarian nationals must be treated in the same way as citizens of other member states, who have the right to work and settle in the UK.

"It is necessary to have the same rights for the citizens all over Europe," Reding told BBC Radio 4's World at One, as cited by Huffington Post.

"The free movement directive is not a directive on which Britain can opt out. Free movement is one of the foundations of the single market and the single market is something which the UK is very attached to and it is one of the most cherished EU rights."

UK Immigration Minister Mark Harper argued earlier this week that the country must not be a "soft touch" for migrants, including those looking to come from Bulgaria and Romania in the future.