Olivier Chastel: “The Roma situation must be handled as part of an integrated approach”
The Secretary of State for European Affairs, Olivier Chastel, spoke about the Roma situation in Europe on behalf of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the current affairs question period held during the plenary session of the European Parliament.
The Secretary of State reminded the audience of the values and principles of the Union and of its Fundamental Rights, which became binding with the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon. He then expressed the Council’s support for measures intended to promote Roma inclusion. “It has already been 10 years since the Council passed a global directive forbidding discrimination based on race or ethnic origin in a number of areas including professional training, social protection, and education,” said the Secretary of State. A summit on the Roma was recently held in Cordoba.
“All of the Member States must promote the social and economic inclusion of the Roma and cooperation at the European level provides a significant plus," declared Olivier Chastel. In addition, "responsibility in this area is shared: it is up to all of those involved to work toward their inclusion based on their respective competencies," added the Secretary of State on behalf of the Presidency of the Council. The Stockholm program also expressly mentions the Roma community.
Olivier Chastel pointed out the concrete measures taken by the European Parliament and the Council to facilitate the inclusion of less well-off citizens by modifying the provisions of the European Regional Development Fund. “This issue must be handled as part of an integrated approach. The approach includes actions in the areas of education, health, social affairs, employment, and security and measures aimed at fighting against segregation," added the Secretary of State.
The Belgian Presidency has planned to raise the question of Roma inclusion on several occasions, including at the meeting of the Integrated Platform on Roma Inclusion (7-17/09/2010), the Conference on Child Poverty (02/09/2010), the Equality Summit (14-16/11/2010) and the Conference on Homelessness (9-10/12/2010).
“As announced at the General Affairs Council of last July 26th, the subject of Roma inclusion will continue to be followed by the EU Council,” concluded Olivier Chastel.
