German Official Wants Debate on Romania, Bulgaria Immigration

German vice-chancellor Sigmar Gabriel on Saturday called for a debate on the touchy issue of immigration from poorer EU states Romania and Bulgaria.

"I think it's not necessary to exaggerate this issue. But it shouldn't be minimized either," he said in an interview with Bild newspaper.

Many Germans are wary of the possible effects of an influx of Romanians and Bulgarians into their country following the end of temporary restrictions on their freedom to move anywhere within the European Union.

As of January 1, citizens from those two poorer EU nations are able to go to the nine countries that had applied the temporary restriction -- Austria, Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands and Spain -- to look for work.

There are fears within those nine countries that Romanians and Bulgarians might try to exploit their more generous welfare systems. In Germany, for instance, any family with children legally resident has the right to ask for state benefits.

Romania and Bulgaria, however, believe the fears are overstated and warn against discrimination of their nationals.

"We don't need all-out discrimination of the Bulgarians and Romanians, but nor should we ignore the problems some big German cities face with the immigration of poor people," Gabriel said.

The government of conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel is on Wednesday to examine possible measures making benefits abuse more difficult.