EU approves Commission's Roma integration plan

EU approves Commission's Roma integration plan

2011-06-24 21:59:02 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) -- European Union (EU) leaders on Friday approved the Commission's framework for national Roma integration strategies, the EU said.

Under the EU Framework for national Roma integration strategies, which is aimed at ending Europe's centuries-old exclusion of the minority, each of the EU's 27 countries will set out how they intend to improve the situation of the vulnerable Roma communities living on their territory.

The framework pointed out four key areas to be addressed by Member States in order to improve the Roma communities' social and economic integration, including education, employment, healthcare and housing. In addition, the Member States will set out measures proportionate to their Roma population, which is estimated to be between 10 and 12 million throughout the continent.

Governments have until the end of the year to submit their national strategies, as EU funding and a strong legal framework to combat discrimination are available to support national efforts.

"Today's agreement is a huge step forward for millions of Roma around Europe," European Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding said. "The EU is sending a strong signal: the exclusion of the Roma is not compatible with our societal values and our economic model," Reding added, also noting that the EU Framework cannot succeed without "the strong and sustained support of all Member States."

After Member States submit national Roma strategies, the Commission will then assess them and report back to the Council and the European Parliament in spring 2012. This exercise will be repeated on an annual basis, launching a regular review of progress made at national level within the EU framework.

In the summer of 2010, the European Commission publicly defended the position that Roma are EU citizens and should benefit fully from their rights and comply with their obligations under EU law.

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