OSCE Mission to Skopje marks International Roma Day

SKOPJE, 8 April 2008 - The Head of the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje, Ambassador Giorgio Radicati, called today for the inclusion of vulnerable communities in public policy.

Speaking at a parliamentary hearing organized by ethnic Roma political leaders for members of parliament, government representatives, and community leaders in connection with International Roma Day on 8 April, Ambassador Radicati said: "The integration of vulnerable communities, such as the Roma, has to be included in all public policies. Mainstreaming practices are more effective if they are based on a coherent policy and coupled with targeted measures."

He commended the country's National Strategy for Roma and the four operational Action Plans for Roma Inclusion for representing clear commitments for the future.

The OSCE Mission works on several projects to support the integration of Roma: the promotion of co-operation between citizens and police in Roma communities, training for ethnic Roma municipal councillors, and developing the capacity of ethnic Roma advocacy groups and non-governmental organizations.

Shaban Saliu, an ethnic Roma Member of Parliament, said: "We organized this hearing to advocate for the effective implementation of the Operational Action Plan and to discuss the implementation of the country's commitments towards Roma. Today, co-operation amongst Roma political representatives is visible and I believe that consensus has been reached in order to positively impact public policies pertinent to Roma affairs in the country."