The event was moderated by the Head of the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade, Mr Tobias FLESSENKEMPER, who highlighted the longstanding work of the Council of Europe regarding Roma issues as well as the implementation of the ROMACTED Programme as a joint initiative with the European Union (EU).

A welcome was cordially addressed by the Head of Cooperation from the EU Delegation in Serbia, Mr Yngve ENGSTROM, who emphasized the fruitful cooperation with the Council of Europe and the importance of the work done through joint programmes and projects.

The Minister of the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue, Ms Gordana COMIC, shared the outcomes from the recent visits to 29 counties in Serbia where the Ministry carried out the situational analysis in the Roma communities.

Ms Marina VASIC, ROMACTED Programme Manager, explained the pathway to the creation of the ROMACTED Programme and the joint efforts of the Council of Europe and EU on working on the empowerment of Roma communities through several joint programmes/ projects since 2011.

The closing remarks were addressed by H.E. Attila PINTER, Ambassador of Hungary to Serbia on behalf of the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers and Mr Tobias FLESSENKEMPER, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade.

The event was organised to contribute to the visibility of the Council of Europe`s work on Roma inclusion issues and the ROMACTED Programme in particular. Questions and comments were vividly addressed by the Heads of Missions of the Council of Europe member and observer states, and the UN Resident Coordinator. Furthermore, the discussion concluded that better cooperation is needed and expected among the relevant stakeholders to tackle Roma inclusion in Serbia adequately.