Brussels  28 April 2005

SOCIALISTS WELCOME EP VOTE IN SUPPORT OF ROMA

The European Parliament's Socialist Group today warmly welcomed parliament's vote in support of measures aimed at improving the situation of the Roma people throughout Europe.

Parliament's agreement comes in response to a Socialist initiative demanding rapid EU action.

Socialist members Martine Roure, Hannes Swoboda, Katalin Levai, Claude Moraes and Jan Marinus Wiersma were instrumental in bringing the issue on to the floor of the parliament.

Mr Wiersma, Group Spokesman, said: "This vote means that the European Parliament now recognises the Roma as an ethnic minority in Europe.

"We now look forward to a proposal from the Commission for a united effort on the part of the EU, the member states and candidate countries to improve the position of the Roma who are subjected to many kinds of racism, discrimination, xenophobia and incitement to hatred. An action plan with clear recommendations is urgently needed."