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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Government to examine strategy on Roma inclusion soon

Belgrade, 25 January 2016

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Zorana Mihajlovic and Head of the OSCE Mission in Serbia Peter Burkhard said today that the government and local institutions have been working on the adoption of effective instruments for the improvement of life of the Roma in Serbia.

Peter Burkhard and Zorana Mihajlovic

Mihajlovic said at a joint press conference with Burkhard that the government will examine a strategy for Roma inclusion within seven to ten days, as well as the law on gender equality.

According to Mihajlovic, the said strategy has received the opinion of the European Commission and will be discussed at a government session, after ministries give their opinion on that strategy too.

She said that she spoke with Burkhard about the way of financing future activities envisaged by the strategy, given that it is not easy to obtain funds for its implementation.

The government will also continue talks with donors and there is a possibility to organise a donors' conference to help finance the strategy.

Mihajlovic said that she and the Head of the OSCE Mission also discussed gender equality, recalling that during last year Serbia prepared a strategy and an action plan, as well as an index of gender equality.

The Law on gender equality, she added, has passed the public hearing and received opinions from the European Commission, NGOs and independent institutions.

Burkhard expressed satisfaction with the fact that the strategy for Roma inclusion is ready, but noted that there is a problem with the financing of its implementation, since the funds for this purpose have so far been provided by the European Union and Sweden.

Speaking about gender equality, he welcomed the adoption of the strategy and action plan, and the fact that a law regulating that matter will be passed soon.