Macedonia 'Will Not Extradite Roma'

The minister said on Monday there were currently 30 Roma families in Macedonia who were refugees from neighbouring Kosovo and who had shown enthusiasm to return to their country of origin.

“Those who do not show interest to return will be helped to fully integrate in Macedonia”, Bajrami said.

Macedonia still has 1,500 Roma refugees from Kosovo who came to the country during and after the 1999 NATO-led military campaign against Serbia, according to state statistics.

Bajrami said the state provided financial help and housing to all those listed as refugees.

The minister made the remarks after meeting EU ambassador Erwan Fouere, who was visiting to see how reforms were progressing ahead of the release of a forthcoming European Commission report on the country.

France’s recent decision to expel Roma to their counties of origin has raised deep controversy among the EU public and its politicians.