Austria supports Congress activities for Roma inclusion
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(from left to right) Vice President of the European Parliament Othmar Karas, Clemens Kohl, secondment from the "Austrian Service Abroad" to the Congress, Austrian Ambassador Thomas Hajnoczi and Secretary General of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities Andreas Kiefer |
Strasbourg, 07.06.2012 - Vice President of the European Parliament Othmar Karas, Secretary General of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities Andreas Kiefer and Austrian Ambassador Thomas Hajnoczi welcomed the first Austrian secondment from the "Austrian Service Abroad" to the Council of Europe and discussed possible future developments of relations with the Austrian Service Abroad, an organisation which provides an alternative to the military and civil service.
On behalf of the Congress Andreas Kiefer thanked the Austrian authorities, notably the Federal Minister of the Interior, Ms. Johanna Mikl-Leitner, for this support. Othmar Karas welcomed the activities of the Austrian Service Abroad in particular in relation with the Council of Europe. Together with Andreas Kiefer he expressed his hope, that the secondment of the current civil servant is only the start of a fruitful cooperation which will be continued by dispatching further servants to the Congress in the following years. Mr. Kiefer underlined that this secondment will help the Congress to build up the future European Alliance of Cities and Regions for Roma Inclusion aimed at helping cities and regions increase their capacities for Roma inclusion, providing advice and/or practical support, informing on policies and sources of funding, and exchanging experiences and practices.
Website of the Alliance of cities and regions for Roma inclusion