PM Ciuca: Roma in our country bring cultural and economic value to environments in which they live

The Roma in our country have brought, over time, cultural and economic value in the environments in which they lived, Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca said in a message on the occasion of International Roma Day and the Celebration of Romania's Roma ethnics in Romania', Agerpres reports.

"Cultural, through unquestionable artistic talent, especially in the field of music and dance, economic - through skill in craftsmanship. If the granting of freedom, in the middle of the 19th century, was not accompanied by measures to support a standard of living equal to that of other citizens, the effects appeared and have endured," added Ciuca.

"The mobilization of Roma around the world in defense of their legitimate interests and the responsiveness of states in recent decades have made it possible for our country to mark today two events dedicated to this ethnic group: International Roma Day and the Celebration of Romania's Roma ethnics in Romania'. With a well-defined cultural profile, but with a millennial hostile history and a dramatic destiny, which has spread them to all continents, the Roma are now the confreres of all of the world's citizens. As such, they deserve due respect, as well as support for redressing past injustices and removing barriers to access and opportunities. Societies have evolved in the sense of civilization and humanism, they understand values better and on a larger scale, they no longer lack information at any level. Thus, it becomes a duty of honor for them to practice inclusion for any ethnic community that encounters certain difficulties, along with valuing the diversity created by distinct cultures and mentalities," said Nicolae Ciuca.

The head of the Executive points out that the honest radiography of history and the assumption of the past's mistakes must be complemented by actions of support and valorization of all the citizens of this country, regardless of race, nationality, ethnicity, gender.

"Let us always remember that good is not achieved through rejection or indifference," Ciuca said.

The Prime Minister also expressed his appreciation for the way in which Roma organizations and volunteers were involved in managing the Ukrainian refugee crisis.

The head of the Executive highlighted the fact that Romania and Europe have contributed substantially, at institutional level, in creating strategies and mechanisms to meet the identity, cultural, economic and social aspirations of the Roma.