Seventh Ministerial Meeting on Roma Integration within the Berlin Process Held

The seventh ministerial meeting dedicated to Roma and Romani integration in the European Union enlargement process, organized by the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights and held today in Podgorica as part of Montenegro's presidency of the Berlin Process. 'The obligations of the Western Balkans and the EU Framework Strategy for Roma are aligned, focusing on combating discrimination and anti-Gypsyism, reducing inequalities, strengthening participation, and ensuring equal access to quality education, employment, healthcare, and housing. Our shared task is to turn these commitments into tangible results, learn from each other, and gradually develop integration in this area,' said Ana Carla Pereira, Director for Equality and Non-Discrimination at the Directorate-General for Justice and Security. The measure of success should be how many have gained stable jobs or built sustainable businesses, how many are living better a year later, and whether local economies are acquiring the skills they need,' stated Željko Jovanović, President of the Roma Foundation for Europe. Minister of Human and Minority Rights Fatmir Gjekaj and Ana Carla Pereira also held a meeting to discuss the results and next steps in implementing the Poznan Declaration, adopted by Western Balkan leaders in 2019. Regional ministers and partners from the region and the European Union reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, emphasizing that Roma inclusion is not only a matter of fundamental human rights but also a key economic and social potential for the entire Western Balkans.