Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament: Roma inclusion - a European issue

The main progressive group in the European Parliament today emphasised that the second European Roma summit, hosted by the Spanish presidency on 8 April 2010 in Cordoba, must review achievements and recognise further challenges both for the EU and for member states.

Leading S&D MEPs said that only a comprehensive approach will produce positive long term results.

Hannes Swoboda, vice president of the group, Monika Benová Flasiková, Kinga Göncz and Claude Moraes tabled on behalf of S&D oral questions to the Council and Commission on the Second European Roma Summit.

They stressed that Roma people face both explicit and implicit discrimination, including racist violence, hate speech, living and educational segregation and forced evictions.
This makes Roma inclusion a European topic, they said, and reflects the shared responsibility of the EU and its member states.

The tabled questions include:

* What actions does the Council propose to tackle both visible and implicit forms of discrimination against Roma?
* Does the Council intend to present a strategic agenda on Roma inclusion, implicit priorities for the planning period 2014-2020?
* How will member states work together with the Commission to stimulate local authorities to make better use of structural funding opportunities to promote Roma inclusion?

"Despite EU efforts, there is to date no integrated and comprehensive EU policy specifically aimed at the Roma. Such a comprehensive approach would secure real change in the life of the ten million Roma in Europe".

A resolution on the second European Roma summit will be voted in the March II session.