OSCE Head of Mission in Kosovo calls for better education, employment, health and housing for Roma

PRISHTINE/PRISTINA, 8 April 2009 - On the occasion of today's International Roma Day, the OSCE Head of Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Werner Almhofer, released the following statement:

"I compliment the Kosovo authorities for the adoption of the Strategy for the Integration of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Communities on 24 December 2008. If this strategy is implemented during the years to come, with the participation of the communities, it will improve their situation significantly.

I call upon the Kosovo authorities to develop concrete action plans necessary for the strategy implementation and to allocate adequate funding.

Specific attention should be paid on improving the situation of the Roma community in the areas of education, employment, health and housing, which are key requirements for a person's human development, well-being and social and economic security and is essential for the full participation in public life.

The effective and full integration of Roma into the different areas of social life is dependent on the full political will and support of the Kosovo institutions as well as of the active participation of this community.

I therefore encourage the civil society as well as the political leaders of the Roma community to continue to play a pro-active and critical role throughout the whole implementation phase of the strategy. The effectiveness of any policy relies on both ownership and responsibility shared by the institutions and the civil society."

The OSCE Mission supported the development of the strategy and remains committed to assist with its implementation.