Education and employment are the two key phrases in the integration of the Roma, Minister of Human Resources Zoltán Balog emphasised at the European Economic and Social Committee’s (EESC) plenary session in Brussels. The Hungarian Minister briefed the organisation about Hungarian achievements in this area.

The European Union’s Roma Strategy was adopted under the Hungarian Presidency in 2011 and it implementation is overseen by the EESC, which also serves as a forum where various interest groups can voice their opinions.

"We cannot be fully satisfied but something has been set in motion," Minister Balog stated, adding that views in Hungary that the Roma are responsible for their own situation or that they are vulnerable victims are both on the wane. An approach of accepting mutual responsibility has become more prevalent today in Hungarian society, he pointed out.

Speaking in the context of the EU principle allowing free movement of labour, he called for changing the often discriminatory approach towards the Roma and consider them as a potential workforce resource.
He asked the EESC to help keep the Roma integration issue on the EU agenda even after the May European parliamentary elections.

Henri Malosse, President of the EESC, spoke with appreciation about Hungary's Roma integration programme he had learnt about during his visit. Speaking at a press conference after the committee's meeting, he made particular mention of the incorporation of classes on Roma history and culture in the national curriculum.

(Ministry of Human Resources)