Straw pressed for 'quick decision' on immigrants

Romanian Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana met British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw at a conference in Germany today and demanded an explanation of Britain’s decision to suspend immigration applications from Romania and Bulgaria.

Geoana said “a quick decision (is needed) to restore a normal situation”.

He said Straw had promised to talk to British Home Secretary David Blunkett later in the day.

Britain suspended immigration applications from Bulgaria and Romania after claims that applications for business visas were being accepted from both countries, despite British officials knowing documentation was false.

British officials travelled to Romania and Bulgaria to investigate the allegations.

Dozens of Romanians lined up outside the British Embassy in Bucharest today, waiting for hours to find out when they will be able to travel to Britain to work, travel, or live with their British spouses.

Many people who need the documents were angry that a political dispute in which they had no part would ruin their plans. Romanians do not need visas to travel to most other European countries.

“I married a British citizen six weeks ago, and I want to travel to see him,” said Anca Chancheong, a 33-year-old teacher, who was disappointed to learn of the suspension.

Up to 40,000 Romanians live in Britain, said Costel Tasante, the editor for a Romanian weekly newspaper, Diaspora.

Romania and Bulgaria are negotiating to join the EU in 2007.