04.04.2014 - Brussels, Belgium
 
On 4 april 2014 in Brussels was held European Roma Summit to rewiew the progress made on the integration of Roma in the EU member countries. The meeting was attended by about 500 representatives from EU institutions, national governments and parliaments, mayors, cicil society organizations (including Roma organizations), as well as local and regional authorities. They expressed their views on additional measures that could be taken for the implementation and development of the EU framework about national strategies for Roma integration. Working on the local level for Roma inclusion in EU and acceding countries was the main topic.
 
Among representatives from Bulgarian delegation was Anife Hasan - member of the Managing Board of the National Network of Health Mediators, who was nominated and chosen by members of National Council for Cooperation on Ethnic and Integration Issues.
 
The meeting was opened by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. Among the lecturers were the Vice-President Viviane Reding (Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship), Commissioner Lazslo Andor (Employment, Soccial Affairs and Inclusion), Commissioner Vassiliou (Education, Culture, Multilinguism and Youth) and Commissioner Borg (Health and Consumer Protection). Another key speakers were George Soros (Chairman of The Open Society Foundation) and Ministers of the Member States and acceding countries in EU.
 
Ms Zinaida Zlatanova - Bulgarian Justice Minister presented Report ondevelopment of strategic plans for Roma integration in Bulgaria. The Health mediators werepresented as good and successful model for Roma integration.
 
The main issues discussed in the meeting were:
1. Implementation of policies on local level including all Roma.
2. How EU funding could reach local and regional authorities to support Roma integration?
3. Roma integration on the local level in acceding countries.
 
Jose Manuel Barroso presented good examples likethe model in Kavarna Municipality (Bulgaria) for Roma integration on local level. He pointed out that the proper use of EU funds and teamwork starting from local level to national level will contribute for development of better policies to improve the lives not only for Roma people, but also in Europe.
 
In the Evaluation of European Commission for integration of Roma in Health as good examples were pointed out thework of Health mediators, the vaccineprophylactics and screenings with Medical Mobile Units. The extension of these activities was recommended. The main challenge for Bulgaria remains the provision of health insurance coverage for all.
   
The meeting report can be downloaded here.