With reference to a recent blog on the situation of Roma in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the European Commission commented:

“The EU is fully engaged with the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina in improving the living conditions and social inclusion of the Roma community in Bosnia and Herzegovina through our political commitment and financial assistance.

“We are closely following and assessing the policies and actions undertaken by the BiH authorities to address the issues faced by the Roma community through our annual Progress Report and within the framework of the Stabilization and Association process through the Interim Committee meetings. In addition to a Roma inclusion seminar held in Sarajevo in July 2011, and in which we addressed weak progress by BiH in this area, the EU Special Representative/ Head of the EU Delegation to BiH Ambassador Peter Sorensen is on an on-going basis making visits to different regions and municipalities of the country in order to raise awareness on the challenges faced by the Roma.

“Bosnia and Herzegovina is implementing four action plans for Roma for housing, education, employment and health, co-financed by the EU in the amount of 2.5 Million EUR, but also using her own national funds. Under the National IPA 2013 programme, a follow-up project for the implementation of the Action Plans is programmed, in the amount of an additional 2.5 Mio EUR. Furthermore, the EU finances a regional project supporting Roma integration. More generally, the EU provides substantial financial assistance to BiH under the overall Human Rights and minority protection umbrella.”