Madrid - Romanian President Traian Basescu arrived Monday in Spain on a three-day state visit, where the number of Romanian immigrants has doubled to more than half a million since Romania joined the European Union this year. Basescu and Spanish leaders were to discuss the labour restrictions Spain has imposed on Romanians until 2009.
Romanians are currently allowed to move freely to Spain, but their right to work is limited. A similar restriction has been imposed on Bulgarians.
Spain has been surprised by the influx of Romanians, who have soared to the biggest group of immigrants. Legal Romanian immigrants number more than 500,000, surpassing by far the second-biggest group, which comprises nearly 300,000 Moroccans.
Many of the Romanians work illegally for instance in the construction and service sectors.
Their difficult work situation became better known through the protest of 44-year-old Marian Mitrita, who burned himself to death over his lack of work in eastern Castellon in September.
Basescu was welcomed by King Juan Carlos, with whom he listened to the two countries' national hymns and watched a military parade. The Romanian president was also scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero during his visit.
