SOCIAL POLICY COUNCIL : FIRST LEGAL INSTRUMENT FOR ROMA INTEGRATION IN EUROPE.

• Position: Brief article

This is the European Union's first ever legal instrument for Roma integration, insisted the European Commission following the Social Policy Council's unanimous adoption, on 9 December, of a recommendation(1) setting out clear guidelines to help member states boost and accelerate their efforts in this area.

Proposed by the Commission last June, the recommendation concerns the four areas in which EU leaders have agreed on common goals for Roma integration as part of the EU framework for national Roma integration strategies (approved in 2011): access to education, employment, health care and housing.

It also gives member states guidance on cross-cutting policies for Roma integration, such as ensuring that strategies are local, enforcing anti-discrimination rules following a social investment...