Institutions and NGOs in Bulgaria should co-ordinate their Roma social integration efforts, Prime Minisrer Sergei Stanishev said during the opening of the 10th summit of the International Steering Committee of the Decade of Roma Inclusion initiative.

Bulgaria should work on a new framework programme to guide integration of minorities in the period from 2008 to 2015, Stanishev said.

EU membership gives Bulgaria new financial, political and managerial instruments that need to be used accordingly. Yet, political will is needed to execute such policies, Stanishev said.

More comprehensive EU policies, dealing with Roma integration are needed as well.

Bulgaria currently holds the presidency of the Decade of Roma Inclusion. The presidency helped Bulgaria gather useful experience, Stanishev said, mainly when it comes to integration in the spheres of education and labour.

One of the hindrances that need to be overcome is the unwillingness of society to play active role in Roma integration, Stanishev said.