Brussels, 20 May 2011
Yesterday, the Council of the European Union organised an exchange of views and adopted a set of conclusions on the EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies, in Brussels. This Framework, adopted by the European Commission on 5 April 2011, aims to improve the socio-economic situation of the Roma communities in Europe by assisting and guiding EU member states in developing their national Roma integration strategies. You can find the document here:
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/lsa/122100.pdf
After several battling years with the European Commission to adopt a European strategy for Roma inclusion, ERIO welcomes the Council’s approval of the much-waited Framework. A European focused approach to the integration of Roma represents a step forward towards fighting the socio-economic exclusion and discrimination against Roma and anti-Gypsyism in the context of the European Union. However, the fight for Roma inclusion does not stop here. Member states need to fully commit themselves to successfully transpose the EU Framework and prioritise the fight against anti-Gypsyism and anti-discrimination when developing or adapting their national strategies.
