Unia Europejska – Romowie
The European Union – Roma

Bilateral policy considerations

Summary/Abstract: The EU policy towards the Rroms was formulated in the European Commission’s 2011 Communication. It was shaped by consultations with Rroms and the Member States. To a great extent, it was also consistent with pro-development of objectives of the EU. The Europe 2020 strategy focuses on employment, education, housing and access to medical services which are also response to a bad situation of Rroms in these areas.However, the EU does not concentrate on the problem of discrimination too much. What is more, the EU claims that after reaching a certain level of socio-economic indicators, the problem is solved automatically. Discrimination will not disappear without a deliberate intervention unless the Rroms assimilate. However, neither they, nor – at least theoretically – the EU accepts it. The main problem connected with Rroms’ articulation of needs, is the matter of legitimacy of representation of this group’s interests. The so-called “new leaders” are responsible for keeping contacts with the mainstream society. They formulate Rroms’ needs and influence the policy of the EU and the Member States. Unfortunately, they represent only small groups of Rroms. Moreover, In order to legitimize the representation of the Rromani society, they have to be a part of the Rromani community and submit to rules coming from traditional values. Due to these limitations, it is difficult to determine what are Rroms’ real expectations regarding the policy of the EU and the Member States towards them.On the basis of the Declaration of a Rromani Nation (IRU, 2000) and social practice, it may be supposed that the Rroms expect mainly the elimination of discrimination and respecting human rights. However, in practice, they receive a vague promise that discrimination will disappear in the future, provided that they join the mainstream of social and economic life of Europe.

• Details
• Contents