European Commissioner Pledges Support for Europe’s Roma Community

Contacts:

In Washington: Nick van Praag, +1 202 294 8581

nvanpraag@worldbank.org

In Brussels: Andre Wilkens, +32 2 505 4646
Andre.Wilkens@Osi-eu.org  

BRUSSELS, June 12, 2006—The European Commission today pledged to make available European Union financial resources to fund Roma programs in Central and Southeast Europe, including Structural Funds for the new European Union member states and Pre-Accession Funds for countries on the EU membership track.

Commissioner Vladimír Špidla made these remarks at an international meeting in Brussels, which he co-hosted with Romanian Vice Prime Minister Markó Béla. The meeting brought together senior representatives of the eight countries[1] that established the Decade of Roma Inclusion in 2005. Roma leaders and representatives of international organizations, including the Open Society Institute (OSI) and the World Bank, participated.

"The active involvement of the European Union will make or break the Decade,” said Iulius Rostas, Deputy Director of OSI's Roma Initiatives Office. "The Decade partners are pleased with the European Commission’s commitment to actively guide the countries in making use of EU financial instruments.”

The Decade of Roma Inclusion is an international initiative designed to improve the lives of Roma and offer them greater opportunities for improved health, education, housing, and jobs. Roma are now one of the largest, poorest, and fastest-growing minorities in Europe.

The Bulgarian Government will take over the rotating chairmanship of the Decade’s International Steering Committee from Romania on July 1. Its plans for the coming year include improving cooperation between national governments and the EU.

Nikolaus Van Der Pas, the EU’s Director General of Employment, Social Affairs, and Equal Opportunity, concluded the meeting by emphasizing the importance of making the most of the potential of young Roma. Greater Roma participation in the labor market will bring substantial economic benefits to a Europe facing a demographic crisis as its youth population declines, he said.