The initiative, which was adopted by eight central and southeastern European countries and which was supported the international community, presents the first joint international effort for the improvement of living standards of Roma communities in Europe.
Prime ministers of Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia-Montenegro and Slovakia, the countries which launched the initiative, are expected to gather in Sofia on 2 February to discuss the platform of the initiative.
According to the concept of the initiative, " the EU and the countries which are joining the EU have declared their intention to eradicate poverty, eliminate discrimination, and reduce social exclusion of minorities, including the Roma. Most of Europe's 7 to 9 million Roma live in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, including the countries which are scheduled for EU accession.