(ROME) - The Italian government, criticised by Brussels for its immigration policy, on Friday sought the opinion of the European Commission on the wording of new legislation on refugees and immigration.

It was an "informal" step before the final adoption of a number of measures, taking into account the "rather delicate nature of the subject," Interior Minister Roberto Maroni told journalists.

Maroni said the Italian government had "excellent cooperation" with Jacques Barrot, the European Commissioner for Justice.

"This process appears to be proof of a willingness to respect European legislation, which we appreciate," said Barrot in a statement later Friday.

"We are now going to examine with the utmost care the documents that have been transmitted to us" and make sure the measures taken by the Italian authorities are in line with communal legislation, he added.

A report requested by Brussels on Rome's much-criticised census of gypsy camps, which appeared to target the Roma minority from Romania, was now "ready" and would be sent to Barrot at the same time, he added.

Maroni said the report on the conditions and purpose of the survey would be sent alongside letters from the International Red Cross and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

The census, which has already begun in camps in Rome, Naples and Milan, would be followed at the end of September with a "first school plan for the children" of gypsies, he added.

Maroni is a member of the populist and xenophobic Northern League in Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's right-wing government, which took power after April elections.

He said Rome would take into account Brussels' opinion before finalising the laws, which received parliamentary approval last month but have faced opposition from the left, Roman Catholic groups and human rights organisations.

The legislation would for the first time here make illegal immigration punishable with a custodial offence of between six months and four years, and also extend the time illegals could be held and facilitate deportation.

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