The European Commission’s first ‘EU Roma Summit’ is taking place on the 16^th September 2008 in Brussels. This high-level conference on the inclusion of Roma will take place under the joint patronage of Commission President José Manuel Barroso and the French Presidency of the Council. The Conference will bring together some 350 representatives of EU institutions, Member State Governments and Parliaments, and civil society.

 

As outlined in the Commission's Communication "Non-discrimination and equal opportunities: A renewed commitment" adopted on 2 July 2008, this Summit will be the key moment for all actors to pronounce themselves on the Commission's reports and should allow for a comprehensive message to be forwarded to the French Presidency of the Council and the Commission guiding our further work on this very important issue.