The Roma minority in Bulgaria is limited because of public opinion, Reuters news agency reported.

Most people share a negative attitude toward minority group representatives. The same is valid in other European countries. Because of these negative opinions Roma throughout Europe are subjected to racism, the publication reported.

Between 10 and 15 million Roma live in Europe and almost half of them reside in former communist countries in Southeastern Europe.

The European Commission already criticised Bulgaria for the failure to improve education, healthcare and the living standards of minority groups.

Roma represented between five and 10 per cent of Bulgaria's 7.8 million people population, Reuters reported. Nearly 80 per cent of the Roma in Bulgaria and Romania live below the poverty line. Almost half are unemployed, the agency reported.

On Wednesday the government approved a 1.26 billion leva strategy for improving the living conditions of minority group representatives. The project would receive funding from the EU.

Human rights organisations are skeptical about the success of the project, Reutres reported. Previously, the Parliament failed implementing less ambitious strategies in the same sphere.

Roma live in the periphery of the Bulgarian society. Police rarely investigate crimes in Roma neighbourhoods. Anti-Roma activities in Bulgaria are on the rise after nationalist movement Ataka gained popularity, Reuters reported.