Text the statement Andrea Vasilious about Slovak Košice Roma Wall.

Androulla Vassiliou tells Košice it must pull down Roma segregation wall without delay.

Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture,

Multilingualism and Youth, has sharply criticised the authorities in

Kosice (Slovakia) for constructing a wall to segregate the city's Roma

community.

In a letter to the city's Mayor, Richard Raši, the Commissioner states

that she was disappointed to read reports about the wall in Košice

Zapad.

'I strongly believe that the construction of physical barriers

represents a breach with the values on which our European Union is

founded, notably respect for human dignity and human rights, including

those of people belonging to minorities. The Union has always been

strongly committed to fighting all forms of racism and xenophobia. And

the European Commission is always ready to take action, within the

remit of its competences, to reaffirm the principle of non-

discrimination.

An initiative intended to achieve, or merely resulting in, segregation

of populations is also at odds with the very raison d’être of the

title of “European Capital of Culture”, which seeks to highlight the

richness and diversity of European cultures and to promote deeper

mutual understanding between European citizens.

"Košice, European Capital of Culture 2013” committed to involve

minorities in its programming through its strategic line Open Public

Space and to include specific events concentrating on Roma culture.

This was one of the main elements that determined the selection of the

city for the 2013 title and one that must be implemented as planned in

the bid.', stated Commissioner Vassiliou.

In reply to the Commissioner the Mayor Raši said that the wall had

been illegally constructed and was an "unpleasant surprise" for him.

He said that the wall was initiated by the authorities of the suburb

of Kosice Zapad, which is under the control of former Mayor of the

city, Rudolf BAUER.

Commissioner Vassiliou is now insisting that the authorities of Košice

remove the wall without delay.