Romani migrations and EU enlargement

Abstract

This paper examines the root causes of recent attempts by central and eastern European (CEE) Roma to seek asylum in the European Union (EU) and considers their future migration potential and its implications for EU enlargement. While a westbound Roma migration is not favoured by current member states, instruments designed to discourage it will have but short‐term effect as after EU enlargement CEE Roma will have the right of free movement within the EU. Any attempt to prevent migration will then be illegal; accepting such a migration is however likely to prove unpopular. The article shows that two instruments that ought to resolve the problem, the ‘Copenhagen Criteria’ and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, are unlikely to do so and goes on to conclude by suggesting that Roma communities have as much a part to play in seizing the window of opportunity for integration, as do majority societies and governments in providing it.