OSCE Mission in Kosovo to mark International Roma Day

PRISTINA, 6 April 2007 - On the occasion of International Roma Day, marked 8 April, the acting Head of the OSCE Mission extended congratulations and good wishes to the Roma community in Kosovo, and said it would continue assisting Kosovan authorities in order to improve the situation of Roma.

"This day provides an opportunity for the Roma community to increase their dialogue with municipal and central authorities and to further engage themselves into public and social life," said Jens Modvig, acting Head of the OSCE Mission.

"The Roma culture and identity is also part of Kosovo and the OSCE is pleased to join the Roma in celebrating their Day."

Several events will happen on Sunday throughout Kosovo with the OSCE Mission's support including: promoting the role of the Municipal Communities Officers in helping improve the situation of minority communities, roundtables on enhancing the living conditions of the Roma community, a poetry reading, and a photography competition.

The Mission, together with representatives of the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government and of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, is currently developing a Kosovo government strategy which aims at providing these communities with equal chances and opportunities. The strategy emphasizes the right of these communities to maintain and promote their identity, to speak their language.

International Roma Day was established in 1990. It represents the aspirations of Roma to bring the problems that their community faces in many countries across Europe to an international level.