The head of the European Commission said he was confident Italy's census of Roma people, criticised by the European Parliament and human rights groups as discriminatory, would respect EU rules.

The Rome government has come under attack for its plan to conduct a census, with fingerprinting if necessary, of all people living in camps, including children.

The census is part of a crackdown by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's government on crime.

EU chief Jose Manuel Barroso, at a news conference with Mr Berlusconi in Rome, said there was good cooperation between Italy and the EU executive, which is assessing whether the plan is compatible with EU anti-discrimination rules.

"I really believe ... that a solution will be found that will respect those principles that are essential for Europe and for Italy, while responding at the same time to the concerns that exist here in Italy regarding security but also the integration of immigrants," Mr Barroso said.

There are around 140,000 Roma people in Italy. About half come from abroad, mostly from eastern European countries such as Romania.

Fifty-five per cent of those living in camps are minors.