Marginalized groups could contribute to revitalize European economy

EPP Group MEP Járóka drew attention to the new forms of social exclusion that have emerged in underdeveloped, poverty-stricken micro-regions throughout Europe, where Roma, as the continents largest and most marginalized ethic community is disproportionally overrepresented. She emphasized that the reintegration of the unemployed and excluded masses – for whom European citizenship is still nothing more than just words –  is actually more profitable than sustaining their substandard socio-economic conditions.

"They comprise a significant and permanently growing percentage of the necessary resource to increase labour market participation and – according to modest estimations – could trigger a substantial growth of national GDPs" – Járóka explained. She reminded the participants about the recently adopted "European Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies" and the necessity of properly implementing its measures under thorough monitoring, especially those which allow immediate intervention. Eventually Járóka pointed out that crisis-management should not overshadow anti-poverty measures that are indispensable for Europe's socio-economic prosperity.

The discussion was opened by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission and Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.