On May 29, 2022, died the Deputy Commissioner for Finance and Economy of the IRU Dr. Satish Pilaresetti.

He has lived and worked in New Delhi, India and has been an active member and delegate of the IRU for the past two years.

Otherwise Dr. Pilaresetti is a true expert and professional in his field of finance and economics. In India, he was also the Executive Director of Sa-Dan (Association of Community Financial Institutions) in New Delhi, a position he has held for the past seven years.

With his death, the IRU and the Roma community lost a top professional as well as a proven economics and finance expert who was proven in his field and graduated from Harvard Business University.

The IRU, led by President Zoran Dimov, expresses its deepest condolences to his family.

Within the framework of the activities and preparations for the Roma Strategy 2021-2030, ERGO in Prague is organizing the 15th European Platform for Roma Inclusion.

Among the invited senior representatives and representatives from European institutions, IRU President Zoran Dimov will also participate.

In the two-day conference, there will be several panel discussions and the adoption of conclusions,

More important discussions are the Way forward - equality, inclusion and participation of Roma and Roma in times of crisis: Ukrainian Roma refugees in the EU and as internally displaced persons.

Among the other speakers, Zoran Dimov will have his address.

It should also be noted that Marta García Fidalgo, advisor - Roma policy, European Commission, DG for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations, as well as MEPs Peter Pollak, Romeo Franz and others will also speak among the discussants.

As part of the activities in Brussels, the President of the IRU Zoran Dimov on the sidelines of the meeting of the European Parliament "Roma Week" met with Marta Garcia Fidalgo - Advisor for Roma Inclusion and Equality Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations Coordinator, European Commission.

During that meeting, Dimov introduced Fidalgo to some of the activities and plans of the IRU and their activities.

In addition, he informed her about the situation with the Roma community in the EU and the Western Balkans, as well as the Roma in Ukraine.

He also informed her about the Declaration prepared by the IRU to all European institutions as well as the Declaration by the Network for Systemic and Sustainable Solutions, of which he is the coordinator.

As Vice President of ERTF, he informed her about the current activities in this organization which is part of the Council of Europe.

Marta Garcia Fidalgo noted that she is always here to help implement plans and strategies related to the Roma and that she is always ready for cooperation and coordination.

She emphasized her commitment as an Advisor Roma inclusion and Equality coordinator Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, European Commission, and also noted that she appreciates the work of the IRU as well as the activities of its President Zoran Dimov.

IRU and its President Zoran Dimov react strongly to the taken position of MEP Mr.Romeo Franz on the taken position that he is a Sinti, and does not feel Roma, and that he will continue to defend the interests of the Roma community in Europe.

IRU and Dimov also direct their reaction to his parent party, the Greens, of which Mr. Romeo Franz is a member.

The question arises in what direction was this statement made by Mr. Romeo Franz?

- Does Mr. Franz want to separate the terms Sinti and Roma with that?

- Does he even know the historical connection between the terms Sinti and Rom?

- Does Mr. Franz know that the Sinti (also Sinta or Sinte) are a Roma people from Central Europe?

- Does he know (and we believe he knows) that the Sinti were also a traditional people who often moved, but today only a small percentage of Sinti live that way.

- In the past, they often lived in the suburbs of communities. The Sinti of Central Europe speak a Sinticromese language other than Romani, under the influence of German.

The question now is what is the purpose of separating these two terminologies?

If Mr. Franz distances himself and says that he is not a Roma, then why is he often the main protagonist in organizing various meetings, conferences and similar events on behalf of the Roma?

Why does Mr. Franz at those meetings and conferences alone with his associates choose the names and organizations with the prefix "Roma" who will participate and who will not.

Why is he doing projects on behalf of the Roma?

If he does not feel Roma, and wants to help the Roma community, is it not more logical to help in a way to assist and lobby with his credibility, and not to have the main say on behalf of the Roma and the Roma community.

There are still many logical questions and unknowns what is the motive and in which direction the sentence "I do not feel Roma" is said.

A question to him, as well as to his home Green Party, to reconsider the motives and intentions of their member, Mr. Romeo Franz.

The disappointment and reaction of other Roma organizations and individual Roma activists from this notation of Romeo Franz is understandable. It is understandable because for a long time at many conferences, events, etc. his work and activism is based as an activity in the name of both the Roma and the Roma community, and on the other hand he distances himself from his origin and is not pleased with the prefix "Roma". „

A fact that is quite debatable.

"Both the dilemma and the intention must be resolved. The IRI and the Roma community will not stop there. "He will continue to seek answers as well as for the views expressed." - it is said in the reaction of Zoran Dimov, president of the IRU.