Category Archives: Europe

Brussels, Hungary, and Roma

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Géza Ásós, who opened Hungary’s first Gypsy restaurant in Békés 11 years ago, gave a presentation at the first International Roma Business Forum in Brussels. In an interview with the Hungarian broadcast of Euronews, he said that his restaurant connects Hungarians and Roma. According to him, integration is helped by the fact that there is a labour shortage in Hungary, as a result of which Roma workers are encountered in more and more places and in more and more positions.

The Roma Business Forum was held in the European Parliament. The conference was organized by Fidesz MEP Lívia Járóka in order for Gypsy businessmen and EU decision-makers to share their experiences of difficulties and best practices. It is to be noted that Lívia Járóka is somewhat contested, as she fully supports the Orban government in spite of its repeated statements and acts on Roma.

Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Parliament, Olivér Várhelyi, the EU Commissioner responsible for enlargement and neighbourhood policy, and Attila Sztojka, a member of the Hungarian Parliament, who as a government commissioner assists with matters related to the Roma, spoke at the meeting.

Slovak MPs Reactions to the EU Vote

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On Wednesday, the European Parliament adopted a set of recommendations aimed at improving “the precarious situation of Roma settlements in the European Union”. MEPs underlined that the Roma – in all the diversity that this term covers – are the largest ethnic minority in Europe and suffer from poverty and social exclusion in several Member States.

This article interviewed the Slovak MPs and their reactions to the vote. The reactions are generally positive and highlight the difficulty to resolve the problems.

EU and Roma

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The EU Parliament passed a resolution acknowledging the plight of Roma in many European countries and the need for more action and changes in many European countries. The resolution also called on member states to ensure that EU funds earmarked to support Roma settlement communities are used effectively and to further integrate Roma populations into their societies. This latter point is not a moot one, as initiatives such as the Roma decade have shown that throwing money at the issue doesn’t really change the fundamental issues.

The resolution was adopted with 486 votes in favour, 109 against and 38 abstentions. It would be interesting to understand the rationale of those who voted against it and from which countries and parties they are.

Slovakia, the EU, and Roma

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Slovakia, the EU, and Roma

Another Slovak article about the visit of EU MPs in Slovakia where they were shocked by how neglected some Roma communities are in the east of Slovakia. They stated: “It is absolutely scandalous that European citizens still do not have access to drinking water in the 21st century. It is a shame for Slovakia and a shame for Europe that some Roma live in medieval conditions.”

European Union, Slovakia, and Roma

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European Union, Slovakia, and Roma

A delegation of EU parliamentarians visited Slovakia to see how EU funds were used by the country. They found the situation in Roma settlements “scandalous” and were shocked by the lack of amenities and services in these settlements. This could cost Slovakia quite a bit of EU funds.

Slovakia, the EU, and Roma

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Slovakia, the EU, and Roma

According to the chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee for Regional Development, Younous Omarjee, the situation in the Roma settlements in Slovakia is an absolute scandal and a shame for the European Union and Slovakia. He stated this after visiting a Roma settlement in the village of Petrovce nad Laborcom (Michalovce district) on Thursday.

Call for Proposals

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Call for Proposals

The Council of Europe Project “Strengthening the protection of national minorities, including Roma and minority languages ​​in Ukraine” is launching a call for proposals to receive Grants for activities protecting the rights of national minorities and Roma, as well as the implementation of the Council of Europe standards in the context of Russian military aggression against Ukraine.

Roma in Europe

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Roma in Europe

Lower life expectancy, limited access to health services, violation of human rights… So many factors that affect the mental health of some 10 million Roma in Europe. Associations are sounding the alarm.

New Foundation

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New Foundation

The Open Society Foundations (OSF) has established a pan-European Roma independent foundation. Under the leadership of Zeljka Jovanovice, the current director of the OSF Roma Initiatives Office, the new European Roma Foundation will become the largest European Roma foundation ever. It will be financed by the OSF for ten years, which it will build on.

“I am proud to announce on the occasion of International Roma Resistance Day that we are taking our long-term commitment and commitment to the Roma to the next level,” said George Soros, founder and chairman of the OSF, on May 16.

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