Bruxelles: First EU Roma Summit (16 september 2008)

The European Commission on 16 September 2008 launched the first EU-level summit devoted to improving the situation of Roma communities across the Union. The event, taking place in Brussels, aimed to promote a joint commitment by national, European and civil society representatives to tackle the widespread discrimination and exclusion faced by millions of Europeans of Roma origin. The Summit aimed to support and promote a joint commitment by the Member States, the EU institutions and civil society. The conclusions will feed into discussions by EU leaders at the December 2008 European Council.

The event brought together more than 400 representatives of EU institutions, national governments and parliaments and civil society including Roma organisations. Among the speakers: President Barroso, Vice-president Jacques Barrot (Justice and Home affairs), Commissioners Danuta Hübner (Regional Policy), Vladimír Špidla (Employment, Social affairs and Equal opportunities), Ján Figel’ (Education, Training, Culture and Youth), as well as Bernard Kouchner, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs (French Presidency) and several ministers from Member States and candidate countries.

:: Opening Address by José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission

Fonti:
European Commission press release; ENAR – European Network Against Racism (www.enar-eu.org).