The Roma integration process has achieved significant results in the previous period, but it remains an important problem and challenge we face in the Republic of Serbia, the region and Europe.

We are witnesses of serious discrepancies in the results achieved in the sphere compared to the funds and resources invested into addressing the Roma integration issues in the past.

Parliamentary control of the Roma integration process has been put into particular focus after the constitutions of the new legislature of the Republic of Serbia parliament - 7 consultative meetings were organised attended, in addition to the representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, by representatives of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of AP Vojvodina, as well as more than 40 NGOs. The remarkably intensive activity of the relevant Committees of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia which consistently analyse the problem of the status of Roma among the issues important for the Roma community, should receive special mention.

The presence and assistance offered by the international organisations: OSCE, Council of Europe, European Commission and EU Mission to Belgrade, significantly contributed to the successful organisation of the National Assembly’s efforts in the process of cooperation with the civil society.

The following was stressed at said public hearings and meetings:

- The Action Plans drawn within the Roma Decade need to be harmonised with the existing situation thus making them implementable in the current circumstances.
- Monitoring the realisation of the Roma integration process should receive particular attention. The National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia should continue parliamentary control in the sphere.
- It is good that the legislative activity of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, which among other things means the adoption of the Budget Law, has opened the opportunity for the MPs and parliamentary groups, as well as civil sector organisations, to contribute to the creation of the best possible legislative framework in the country.
- The National Assembly’s various activities and transparency should make it possible for the Roma, as well as other citizens, to accept the parliament as an institution which would allow them to have their interests represented better and more directly.
The National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia as the supreme legislative body and its legislative activity - passing laws harmonised with the European Union regulations, clearly emphasises our society’s commitment to, as soon as possible, receive a start date for European Union accession talks. In our progress to European standards, the improvement of the status of all vulnerable categories takes pride of place, and the Roma community is unfortunately one of the most vulnerable categories viewed through a social, economic or political prism.
To this end, the new legislature has passed a series of laws especially significant for the improvement of the position of marginal groups and for the implementation of the Integration Strategy and giving new authorities to the Roma.
- The Law on Extra-Judicial proceedings has been amended so as to enable an efficient resolution of the problem of legal visibility of Roma with no personal documents.
- The Law on Legalisation has enabled many a Roma family to take important steps toward legalising its property.
- The 2013 Budget Law allocates additional funds for the financing of various Roma integration activities, among them to establish a facility for the higher education of Roma as a European project and funds to set up a new model of sustainable Roma inclusion within the Ministry of Urbanism.
- The Migration Law clearly defines the duty of all state authorities to address the issue of internally displaced persons.
- The criminal law lists hate crime as an aggravating circumstance.

However, we are aware that passing laws is not enough to change the situation. The role of NGOs which should contribute to the creation of an ambient conducive to the implementation of the adopted legislation is also important.

The role of the parliament of the Republic of Serbia is also significant for the institutional resolution of the Roma issue at the international level. Initiating activities of this kind in Serbia, we have recognised the Roma potential as a factor of stability, which undoubtedly gives a new quality to the approach to the integration of Roma into the political and social life.

That is why this new Interparliamentary Organisation of Roma is so greatly important.

There are hardly any municipalities in the Republic of Serbia without Roma. The high degree of poverty among the members of this national community, as well as their lower level of education compared to the population as a whole, creates a particular problem for all state authorities tackling these issues, despite the visible results achieved in the field. Of course, we have to employ a high quality of resources, both financial and human.

The Roma themselves must take responsibility, along with all the citizens of Serbia, both for their own position and the European future of the society as a whole. The togetherness the Roma, as citizens of Serbia, share with everyone else is paramount at the moment when the country has to make tough decisions.

I wish you successful work.

Thank you!