UK to lift visas for Romanians prior to EU entry

BUCHAREST, Oct 2 (Reuters) Britain will lift visa requirements for Romanians wanting to visit before the Black Sea state joins the bloc next January, ambassador Robin Barnett said today.

''The visa regime must be removed by accession, as Romanians will enjoy free movement rights throughout the EU immediately upon accession,'' Barnett told a gathering of students at the opening of the 2006-2007 academic year in Bucharest.

Barnett said no decision had been taken on a date to end visas for Romanians wanting to visit Britain.

The British government said last week it would adopt a gradual approach to opening its labour market to Bulgarians and Romanians after their countries were given the green light to join the European Union in 2007.

Britain was one of only three EU states to allow full access to its labour market to citizens of new member states at the bloc's last enlargement in 2004. But it said it would impose ''transitional controls'' on Bulgarians and Romanians wanting to work in Britain.

Britain had predicted that up to 13,000 migrants would come to Britain from the 10 poor, mostly ex-communist states which had joined. The real figure was around 600,000.

Critics of enlargement have said Britain should not shoulder the burden of further enlargement and have urged the government to impose tough restrictions on its labour market.

REUTERS SK BD2044