Prime Minister's 'wait-and-see' on Roma expulsion, 'we wait for Brussels's verdict'

In comments to the press, Gonzi said the EC was “duty-bound” to investigate any infringements of EU law, and that the outcome of these investigations would determine whether any law was broken.

France has deported hundreds of Romanian and Bulgarian Roma back to their countries of origin over the years, but recently has increased the pace of expulsions.

But Gonzi stopped short of affirming a clear stand of disapproval on the Maltese government’s part of the expulsion of Roma people, who are also EU citizens.

“The point is this: the rule of law must apply to everybody… but we must recognise that directives exist, directives that gives rights to EU citizens, and that the European Commission is duty-bound to see that these directives are abided to, and if not, it has the right to take steps,” Gonzi said after a European Council meeting in Brussels today.

“France has accepted this and one hopes this matter is cleared in the next weeks, to see whether EU directives were infringed or not. We await the outcome of those investigations.”

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said he was "deeply" shocked by the sharp criticism of his country's deportation of ethnic Roma, also known as Gypsies, and said France would continue to dismantle Roma camps.

Sarkozy's defiant comments Thursday threatened to overshadow an EU summit called to discuss economic issues.

EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding and Sarkozy have spent days exchanging harsh words over the expulsions, which Reding had suggested had overtones of Nazi-era minority deportations.

Although she stepped back from her harsh criticism Thursday, Reding has held fast in her rebuke of the French government and earlier statements that Paris could face EU disciplinary actions.

French leaders have lashed out against the criticisms, calling them "unacceptable."  Sarkozy has described the break-up of Roma encampments and their deportation as part of a crackdown on crime.

Leaders have gathered at the Brussels summit to discuss ways to prevent new financial crises after the economic turmoil that has roiled various European countries.  But the dispute between France and the EU leadership over Paris' policy of deporting the ethnic Roma minority is overshadowing other issues.

Sarkozy and EU Commission Chief Jose Manuel Barroso were reported to have had a "fierce exchange" over the Roma during lunch.