In a debate on the Roma minority taking place ahead of the second European
Roma summit Cornelia Ernst (GUE/NGL, Germany) told MEPs that existing EU
directives are not sufficient to protect the Roma in the EU from discrimination
and do not help them to integrate in a long term.
"What we need is a European Roma Strategy" she said "which is part of all
policies and includes effective measures to combat direct and indirect
discrimination against Roma.
"The majority of governments undertake projects and sporadic measures, but
what is needed are medium-and long-term policy approaches.
"Measures for the economic development of Roma communities are needed. The EU
must make its structural and regional funding more flexible, so that Roma can
take advantage of it. These measures must include the allocation of micro-credits
especially for the reconstruction of Roma settlements, but also concrete
measures to promote health, education and training, specifically intended to
promote integration into the labour market.
"The EU has a responsibility to ensure that justice prevails for over 10
million of Roma, one of the oldest ethnic groups in Europe. We need a clear and
decisive YES and a powerful European Framework - let's act NOW!"
The second European Summit on Roma inclusion will take place in Córdoba,
Spain, 8th and 9th April 2010.
