During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate with Council and Commission on issues surrounding the situation of Roma people in Europe, in particular following the deportations from France to Romania and Bulgaria over the summer months. Parliament will vote tomorrow on resolutions on the issue.

statement

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

situation of Roma people (T)

REDING, Viviane (EPP, LU)

ANDOR, László (HU, EC)

CHASTEL, Olivier (Renew, BE)

Situation of Roma people in Europe: extracts from the statements by the Council and the Commission

SOUNDBITE (French), Olivier CHASTEL, Belgian Presidency, There has to be freedom of movement and the Roma cannot be the victims of discrimination in this respect. In the light of the economic crisis, let us make sure that those who suffer the most do no become scapegoats. Let us look at the root causes, the consequences and costs of social exclusion. If a population has no access to education, housing, health care, employment... what can they do? In order to improve the integration of Roma we have to do everything we can in line with the current legislation and with the European values and principles.

SOUNDBITE (English), Viviane REDING, European Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, For me it was crucial that it was made clear in France that there was no intention to target actions against the Roma community, because that targeted action would have been incompatible with the fundamental values and rights on which the EU is founded. It was why it was so important that Minister Eric Besson came to a meeting in Brussels and he assured us publically that the French authorities would treat citizens in the same way and that there was no targeted action against the Roma or any other group, and that the French authorities would do their best to act scrupulously in line with EU law; I see this insurance giving by a French Minister as a very positive development.

SOUNDBITE (English), Viviane REDING, European Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, The Commission services have identified a number of issues where the French authorities will need to give supplementary in formations and where they will need active assistance by the Commission services to ensure that their action now and in the future is fully in line with the EU law. Since 2008 already the Commission has been insisting with France that the EU's free movement directive is fully implemented, notably the procedural and substantive safeguards included in this directive which have not been fully implemented into French legislation.

SOUNDBITE (English), Viviane REDING, European Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, We have been very clear with the French authorities to say that legislative implementation will enhance legal certainty in free movement situations similar to the ones experienced this summer. That is why I have sent a letter to the French authorities to insist on this aspect.

SOUNDBITE (English), Viviane REDING, European Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, An important lesson to draw from the developments of this summer is that the Roma integration is a challenge that must be kept in the political agenda of all member states.

SOUNDBITE (English), L&#225;szl&#243; ANDOR, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, Out of the 27 member states, 12 member states including old and relatively new member states, have supported programmes in place targeting Roma among other vulnerable groups for a total of 17.5 billion euros including 13.3 billion from the European Social Fund. He gives some examples, as the development of a new curriculum of Roma studies in schools. In addition, EFDF was amended in May this year and now allows the fund to be used to support the renovation of housing in rural areas where many Roma leave.