During the meeting, concerning issues of citizens of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, were discussed, as well, real opportunities to push forward the process of implementing the strategy for the integration of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities.
Civil society representatives expressed that, meetings of this kind are very important with intention to better coordination between civil society and institutions. Among the issues that were discussed the most, was the need for greater commitment from the local level and budgeting foreseen activities in the strategy for implementation by municipalities.
Minister Çitaku addressed to the audience that she is extremely interested to increase the cooperation with civil society in order that integration process of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities into Kosovo society to advance more. The Minister stated that: “Through my role as Chairperson of the Interagency Steering Committee for the Implementation of the Strategy for Integration of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, I am committed to accelerate the implementation of the strategy in order to achieve more concrete results that will contribute directly in positive changes for these communities. Also, I will address coordination issue at all levels, in order to advance towards the implementation of the strategy. In my ministry, currently is operational a team that deals exclusively with monitoring the implementation of the strategy and addressing issues related to the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities. We are aware that we must do more in order to integrate communities, and this not only because of the requirements arising from the European Commission for visa liberalization process or SAA, but because of the values on which it is established state of Kosovo”.
Civil society representatives expressed their gratitude for today`s meeting and welcomed the willingness of the Minister to push forward the process of integration of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities into Kosovo society.