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(2004/C 33 E/146)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1639/03

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(16 May 2003)

Subject:   Extra measures to promote means of subsistence in regions where Roma people constitute a large proportion of the population

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(19 August 2003)

According to estimates contained in the Commission's document, ‘EU Support for Roma Communities in Central and Eastern Europe’, published in May 2002, the Roma population of the European Union will increase by some 1,5 million people following enlargement to 25 Member States. Subsequent enlargement to include Bulgaria and Romania would add an estimated 3 million people to the Roma population of the Union.

The Commission is determined to ensure that the fullest use is made of the different instruments available at Community level by the authorities and other relevant actors in the Member States, the new Member States and the candidate countries in relation to the situation of the Roma communities.

The Union is already heavily engaged in efforts aiming to improve the situation of Roma communities in Europe. During the last three years alone, over EUR 77 million in funding has been provided through the PHARE programme for projects in Hungary, the Czech and Slovak Republics, Bulgaria and Romania directed at the Roma communities.

Similar initiatives are being funded in existing Member States such as Spain, Greece and France, through the European Social Fund, including the EQUAL Community Initiative, and European Regional Development Fund interventions in support of investment. Projects for Roma are also supported through other Community programmes such as Socrates, Youth for Europe and the Community Action Programme to Combat Discrimination.

Following the accession of new Member States which is scheduled for May 2004, Hungary and Slovakia will benefit from European Union support under the Structural Funds and Cohesion Fund. The programmes and projects supported by these funds can be used to contribute to projects in a variety of fields of potential benefit to the Roma population such as those concerning education and training, enterprise and infrastructure development.

Consistent with the principles of decentralised management of European programmes, it is the role of the authorities in the Member States to select projects for support, once the broad strategic objectives of the programmes have been agreed with the Commission. It is for these authorities to ensure that the projects selected contribute to the needs of the whole of the population concerned in accordance with the strategic objectives of the programme.

Following accession, new Member States will also have to ensure conformity with Council Directive 2000/43/EC of 29 June 2000 on equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin (1) and Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation (2).

Similarly, Bulgaria and Romania will benefit from European Cohesion policies, and will have to conform with Community law, in accordance with the provisions that exist at the time of accession.

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(1)OJ L 180, 19.7.2000.

(2)OJ L 303, 2.12.2000.

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