President Halonen met the President of the European Roma and Travellers Forum

President of the Republic Tarja Halonen met Rudko Kawczynski, the President of the European Roma and Travellers Forum, at the Presidential Palace on Friday 25, May 2007. President Kawczynski gave his views on the start-up of the European Roma and Travellers Forum and the challenges ahead. President Halonen and President Kawczynski also discussed about the focus of the upcoming work of the Forum.

During the three-day visit, President Kawczynski also met Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva and senior civil servants of the Ministry.

The European Roma and Travellers Forum was established within the Council of Europe in 2004, at the initiative of President Halonen. The Forum gives the Roma and Travellers a united voice with regard to decision-making in Europe concerning them.