Ms Marta Garcia Fidalgo, responsible for the co-ordination of Roma policy at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations visited BiH on 23-26 February. The aim of the visit was to discuss Roma integration, monitor progress on the five priority areas identified by the EU (housing, health, education, employment and civil registration) and to participate in the Roma Decade discussion related to the launch of the Commission/Soros IPA Regional Co-operation Council project that will continue the spirit of the Roma Decade 2005-15 after its conclusion.

Ms Garcia Fidalgo had the opportunity to meet relevant BiH authorities, members of the Roma community, representatives of civil society organisations and international organisations engaged in supporting Roma integration in BiH. She also visited Roma housing units rehabilitated through the EU’s Instrument For Pre-accession funds. Finally, the visit was the opportunity to congratulate the NGO OTAHARIN on winning the award for Roma Integration, established by the European Commission.

Ms Fidalgo commended the progress made by BiH  in terms of providing housing and increasing the rate of civil registration of the Roma population. It was acknowledged that crucial improvements need to be achieved on employment, access to education, and availability of health services. The European Commission underlined its full support to dealt with the important challenges ahead and invited the Bosnian authorities, at all levels, to identify the needs in terms of Roma inclusion that could be supported under ‘IPA 2’ funds.