EU to help Albania’s efforts on the inclusion of Roma and Egyptian communities

TIRANA, Feb. 22 – An EU-Albania Policy Dialogue Seminar on Inclusion of Roma and Egyptian Communities: New Challenges in Albanian Social Development was held last week in Tirana, co-organized by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Enlargement, the EU Delegation in Tirana and the Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth.
European Commission Director General for Enlargement Christian Danielsson said that strong political will at all levels is required.
“Roma and Egyptian inclusion has to become a national priority, not just in strategy papers, but in actual engagement on the ground, supported by a genuine sector policy,” he said.
To support these efforts, Danielsson announced the European Commission’s commitment to increase support for Roma and Egyptians inclusion in the coming years under the new Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA II).
To improve coordination, efficiency and visibility of EU financial support, tailor-made actions will continue to be financed under the relevant national programmes and as part of a global IPA envelope, in the framework of the so-called “Roma inclusion facility.”
Minister of Social Welfare and Youth Erion Veliaj reassured that his institution would continue to lead government efforts toward Roma and Egyptian communities to break structural barriers, influence policies that are inclusive and shape a system that is open, friendly, and equal for all.
“The public as well has a role to play by ending the discrimination, stigmatization and by taking positive actions toward inclusion and breaking the barriers,” he said.
EU experts, representatives of the central and local authorities, the civil society and international organizations provided opinions, and exchanged experience and best practices on inclusion of Roma and Egyptian communities in five key areas: civil registration, education, vocational education and training and employment, housing and infrastructure, and social and health care services.
Albania committed to reinforce engagement in Roma and Egyptian inclusion, update the operational conclusions and the plan of measures of the December 2011 seminar, and ensure their effective implementation without further delay.
In its 2013 Enlargement Strategy, the European Commission identified reinforcing the protection of human rights, including of Roma and anti-discrimination policies, as one of the five remaining key priorities for the opening of accession negotiations with Albania.