Having learnt from the shortcomings of the previous EU Roma framework over the past decade, the European Commission is determined to achieve the headline targets of the new Roma strategic framework, closing the gap of discrimination and socio-economic exclusion by at least half by 2030. However, the role of the Member States in delivering tangible results is pivotal. Without effective national strategies and pragmatic measures, the new framework risks failing in the same manner as its predecessor. 

Participants in an online hearing on The new EU Roma framework: views and expectations for the future of the Roma communities, pointed out that the reason the previous strategy had failed to achieve good results was due to the political situation in and lack of support from some Member States.

The new Roma framework focuses on a three-pillar approach: equality, inclusion and participation, complementing the socio-economic integration of marginalised Roma in the previous framework and reforming it considerably.

The new Roma framework contains much of merit but the problem of implementation remains the same.

Isabela Mihalache, from the ERGO Network, praised the new framework for including a number of synergies and complementary EU policies, but argued that when it came to the common minimum commitments of Member States, they were rather general.

Bernard Rorke, from the European Roma Rights Centre, warned: "Unless justice prevails without prejudice for Romani citizens, this framework will fail in exactly the same manner as its predecessor".

Along the same lines, Florin Botonogu, from the Bucharest-based Policy Centre for Roma and Minorities, emphatically pointed out that solutions needed to be realistic.

The president of the EESC Thematic Study Group on the Inclusion of the Roma, Alfredas Jonuška, encouraged CSOs and NGOs to make their voice heard as, while progress has been made, there is still much more to achieve. (at)