Government ministers join European policy-makers in Brussels for
the first EU summit to address problems faced by Roma minority.
The high-level meeting follows an EU report in July that said
the ethnic minority continues to face discrimination and social
exclusion despite efforts to integrate its members. Roma leaders
and human rights advocates were among 400 people attending the
summit organised by the commission. The aim was threefold: The
commission has called for joint efforts by the EU and its member
countries to bring Roma into mainstream society. It is urging
national governments to step up efforts to help Roma access
schools, housing, jobs and health services. Between 10 and 12
million Roma -- an umbrella term for several groups including
the Sinti and Travellers -- live in the EU. Historically one of
Europe’s most persecuted ethnic minorities, the Roma are still
the targets of racially motivated attacks. Many live in
communities characterised by high levels of poverty,
unemployment and illiteracy. Th