Kovačević: 62 apartments for Roma families will be ready in September [Vijesti]
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- Wednesday, 08 April 2015 10:01
Zorica Kovacevic, Minister of Labour and Social Welfare said today that Roma families will be grated 62 apartments in Podgorica by September. On the occasion of the International Day of Roma, she said that construction of another 120 new housing units for members of the Roma community will begin in September.
"In cooperation with the European Union (EU), Montenegro provided 62 residential units for the Roma population, which will be ready by September, when we will start building another 120 housing units," announced Kovacevic.
She said that the state has a large number of citizens from the former Yugoslav republics, especially from Kosovo. Kovacevic said that Montenegro wants to create the conditions for those who want to live in this country and provide assistance to those who wish to return.
Montenegro work on the return of Roma to Kosovo together with the Kosovo authorities and donors, said Kovacevic.
"We work hard on the social inclusion of Roma, and promotion of the access to employment, health care, obtaining documents and will continue the work on it", said Kovacevic.
The Secretary General of the Red Cross of Montenegro, Jelena Dubak, said that Roma should rejoice this day, regardless of the current living conditions.
"Together we work and strive to be better", she said.
According to her, the Red Cross works daily with Roma in education, because, as Dubak assessed, it's their only way out of the cycle of poverty.
Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Montenegro, Dawn Adie Baird announced that the International Roma Day is a good opportunity to celebrate the diversity in European culture.
She announced that, in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, the EUD will soon begin to address the issues of the Roma communities in Berane and Niksic. Baird added that ocal Roma who are also part of the Roma community will be included in these projects.
"Responsibility for the inclusion of Roma in society lies with the authorities and the state, with our support, but it is important to know that the Roma themselves are active participants in this process", said Baird.
The head of the UNHCR office in Montenegro, Mustafa Server Caylan, said that UNHCR see the Roma community as an important and valuable part of the Montenegrin society.
"We join efforts with our partners to ensure that every person has personal documents and use the opportunity to regularize their status in Montenegro," said Çaylan. He said that UNHCR works with the Government to secure adequate housing solutions for people living in camps.
Head of Security Centre (CB) Podgorica, Vojislav Dragovic reminded that on this day in 1971, the first Congress of Roma in London was held, which is considered one of the most important days in the history of this community.
Dragovic said that the CB has realized the severness of the situation of this community, an thus in cooperation with institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) accepted participation in a joint team, through which they assist and enhance the progress and status of the Roma.
Police will, as he said, strengthen preventive protective activities in the Roma settlements to enable secure life.
"April eighth as historical heritage is an obligation and responsibility for the Roma and other communities in the state to continue to progress through connecting with the wider community", concluded Dragovic.