ERIO at the preparatory meeting of the  6th European Roma Platform for Roma Inclusion:On 13 October 2011, the European Commission organised a preparatory meeting for the European Roma Platform for Roma Inclusion meeting taking place in 17-18 November. ERIO representatives attended the meeting along with other participants from Roma civil society, international organisations, NGOs, EU government officials, EU civil servants, as well as experts on Roma issues.
A representative of the Polish Presidency stated that although Roma is not a priority of the presidency, it does not mean that the Polish government underestimates the Roma issue. The Roma issue, she added, is on the agenda of the Equality Summit which will take place in 14-15 November. The discussion that followed, chaired by Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea (Director for Equality, DG Justice), evolved around two main issues: the new structure of the Platform, synergies and roles of participants and the draft agenda of the 6th Platform meeting.

The Commission presented the new structure of the Platform which results from various suggestions putted forward by numerous organisations. It will include a tripartite agenda: 1) general agenda that can be set up by leading figures as well as organisations; 2) discussions of workshops organised around participants and 3) plenary sessions where participants can interact with different stakeholders. According to the Commission, the following groups should be invited: a) EU member states and candidate countries; b) relevant institutions such as the European Parliament, European Economic and Social Committee, Committee of Regions and Fundamental Rights Agency; c) international organisations with relevant experience; d) European level NGOs; e) social dialogue partners and f) limited number of independent experts.

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