20/10/2010 10:25
The Council of Europe discusses the destiny of the Roma in Europe
Ministers from the Council of Europe member states and representatives of the European Commission and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) will meet in Strasbourg on 20 October to discuss the situation of the estimated 11 million Roma living in Europe today. On the initiative of Thorbjørn Jagland, the Council of Europe's Secretary General, governments are expected to confirm their joint will to fight discrimination against Roma and to help improve their economic and social integration, CoE information center informs.
The Council of Europe has for many years worked with Roma communities and collected information on existing good practice in its member countries. Secretary General Jagland will propose new initiatives in the fields of education, housing, justice, health, gender equality and participation in civic life at the meeting.
Close co-operation between the Council of Europe, the European Commission and the OSCE, and the active participation of the Roma community, will contribute towards the success of these initiatives.
The meeting is being hosted by the Council of Europe and the Chairman of the Committee of Ministers, Antonio Miloshoski, Minister of Foreign Affairs of ”the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”.