Skopje, 6 September 2021 (MIA) – Minister of Labour and Social Policy Jagoda Shahpaska met Monday with Head of Operations at the Council of Europe Programme Office in Skopje, Lejla Dervisagic, discussing the process of implementation of the second phase of the ROMACTED programme which aims to ensure greater integration of the Roma population in the local communities, through participation in local policy creation. The programme’s implementation started at the beginning of 2021 and is set to be completed by the end of 2024. According to Shahpaska, although the country is considered to have made the greatest progress in the region in implementing successful policies for greater integration of the Roma in terms of employment, social housing, preschool education, a lot of work still remains to be done. “Therefore, the support we receive through our partners, the Council of Europe and the European Union, is very important to us. The integration of the Roma population in the local communities through participation in the creation of local policies is our main goal,” Shahpaska pointed out She added that strengthening the Roma community at an individual level, as well as community level, improving capacities and knowledge, as well as improving the quality of life and mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, are processes of substantial importance if we want real progress in this area. Head of Operations at the Council of Europe Programme Office in Skopje, Lejla Dervisagic, said the country in the recent period has shown strong commitment in the implementation of projects that give direct support to the Roma population. “It’s very important to have close cooperation between the mayors and the local administration of the municipalities where this project will be implemented. We have municipalities that have shown strong commitment, thus achieved greater integration of the Roma population - these municipalities should be an example for other local units,” said Dervisagic. The programme, which is supported by the country’s international partners, the Council of Europe and the European Union, will be implemented in Berovo, Bitola, Delchevo, Debar, Gostivar, Kichevo, Kriva Palanka, Kochani, Shtip, Shuto Orizari, Vinica, Veles, Strumica, Tetovo, and Prilep. Minister Shahpaska expressed confidence that the mayors and the local administration will show strong commitment in the implementation of the ROMACTED programme, which is expected to give positive results for the Roma population.