Brussels, 14/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Union and its member states have a joint responsibility to resolve the highly sensitive issue of the social exclusion of Roma minorities. It is up to them to implement in as effective a way as possible, within the framework of their respective areas of responsibility, their inclusion strategies. That was the main message sent out by the high-level conference on the European Social Fund and the Roma, in Budapest on 13-15 October. One of the aims was to determine how structural fund resources can be channelled in order to improve the economic and social situation of Roma minorities. The conference, attended by some 300 people, was opened by Hungarian Republic President László Sólyom, Social Affairs Commissioner Vladimir Spidla, Hungarian Social Affairs and Labour Minister László Herczog, Hungarian MEP Lívia Járóka and Hungarian Ombudsman for National rights and Minorities Ernö Kállai. The conference was the first of its kind, after the European Roma summit in Brussels on 16 September 2008.
What the EU cannot and does not want to do alone. “The European Union alone cannot - and will not - solve the problems which make a significant part of the Roma a vulnerable group. We need to do this together - the EU, the member states, the regions and the municipalities. I do believe we have a shared responsibility. We have to make our contribution within our competences as mayors, as governors of regions, as national ministers or as members of the European Commission,” said Špidla in his speech to the conference. He went on to say that commitment from everyone was necessary to break the cycle of prejudice, poverty, poor education, unemployment, poor housing, bad health and social marginalisation. “We must accept our share of the responsibility, so that every Roma man, woman and child enjoys the rights and opportunities that all other members of our societies have,” he stated.
What the EU wants to do. Commissioner Špidla said that the EU could: provide political leadership, enforce European fundamental rights, anti-discrimination and anti-racism legislation, offer financial support, coordinate national policies and facilitate cooperation among the various key players. He repeated what he had said at the second meeting of the integrated platform on Roma inclusion, in Brussels on 28 September, that the Commission has called for pragmatic, constructive and non-discriminatory policies towards the Roma (see EUROPE 9987).
Use of Structural Funds for Roma integration. There were two possibilities, Špidla said: (1) the European Social Fund (ESF) could finance projects that offer, for example, vocational training, self-employment or microcredits for Roma, or any other project that promotes social inclusion for the Roma; (2) the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) could be used to provide decent housing. In conclusion, the commissioner pointed out that “exclusion entails costs - in terms of lost productivity as well as direct transfers. Hence the inclusion of the Roma is not only for the benefit of the Roma, but for the benefit of the whole society”. (G.B./transl.rt)