SPECIAL EC ENVOY VISITS UNION OF CROATIAN GYPSIES

ZAGREB, Nov 19 (Hina) - European Commission special envoy to Croatia Per Vinther visited the Union of Croatian Gypsies in Zagreb on Thursday. The purpose of the visit was for Vinther to become acquainted with the working conditions and methods of the union as well as of the pre-school centre for Romany children "Ceferino Jimenz Malla". The EC envoy welcomed the establishment of the pre-school centre, which is the first of its kind not only in Croatia but in Europe as well. Vinther stressed that the European Union would try and help Croatian Gypsies though support for democracy and human rights. Croatia wants to join the EU and its relationship towards minorities is an important criterion for its admission, Vinther added. The EU has so far invested about two million German marks into specific democratisation projects in Croatia. The Union's president Nusret Seferovic and the initiator of the establishment of the pre-school centre, Ragib Seferovic, told Vinther that their efforts were aimed at bringing children and young people to literacy and integrating them into the regular education system. Apart from the funds granted by the Ministry of Education and Sport, the Union receives support from the city authorities amounting to about US$6,800 per month. (hina) rml