The EU is asking for an explanation from French authorities for the recent refusal to allow trains carrying Tunisian refugees and European human rights activists into the country, a spokesman for EU Commissioner said on Monday.
The trains, en route to France from Italy, were denied entry to France on Sunday. The refugees were carrying residence permits granted by neighboring Italy that allow them to travel within Schengen zone countries for a period of three months.
The spokesman said the European Commission would assess France's move after receiving an official letter from the French authorities.
Anti-immigrant sentiment has been rising in France, where the far-right National Front performed better than expected in recent local elections. The party's leader, Marine Le Pen, is widely expected to make the run-off in presidential polls set for 2012.
Italy has also faced a dramatic increase in number of migrants fleeing revolution-hit North Africa.
About 22,000 refugees have already arrived in Italy, mainly to the Island of Lampedusa, which is geographically closer to Tunisia than to Italy. The island houses an immigration center, which is one of the entry-points for migrants to Europe.
BRUSSELS, April 18 (RIA Novosti)
