rights to social protection. Since many Roma and Egyptians in Montenegro do not fulfil these conditions, they cannot benefit and this lack of analyses has contributed to the limited effectiveness and slow implementation of certain policies, such as the Strategy for Improving the Status of Roma and Egyptians in Montenegro 2012-2016.2 The social position of the Roma and Egyptians in Montenegro is highly marginalised. Statistical data shows that almost half of the population lives in poverty, whilst 2/3 of Roma children live below poverty line. Social exclusion of the Roma is shown to be the result of chronic, long-term marginalisation and inequality in all aspects of social life. In fact, according to research we conducted in 2011, citizens of Montenegro have the highest level of social distance between themselves and this minority community.3 The need for strengthening social inclusion based on desegregated research data was recognised both by the EU and the Council of Europe. The latest EU Progress Report on Montenegro stated that "little progress has been made on social inclusion" and that "measures and policies for poverty reduction and for Roma inclusion need to be strengthened".4 Without thorough analysis and evaluation of social protection measures, and the creation of policies based on the needs of the target population and directed towards their sustainable integration, there is no sustainable development. I urge this Forum to adopt the above mentioned recommendations and the Government of Montenegro begin to undertake systematic analysis on the socio-economic needs of the Roma and Egyptian community in order to improve development and implementation of effective policies for integration. Thank you for your attention. Strategy with incorporated Action Plan for 2012 available at: http://www.minmani.gov.me/rubrikeistrategija-zapoboljsanje-polozaja-roma/113270/Strategija-za-pobollsanje-polozaja-Roma-i-Egipcana-u-Crnoj-Gori-2012-2016sa-akcionim-planom-za-sprovodenje-za-2012-godinu.html 3 CEDEM, Pub lic opinion research on discrimination of minority population and marginalized social groups in 2 Montenegro http://cedem.me/en/programmes/empirical-research/other-opinion-polls/finish/41-other-opinion-polls/223public-opinion-research-on-discrimination-of-minority-population-and-marginalized-social-groups-june-2011.html 4 European Commission, Montenegro Progress Report 2012, http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/pdf/key_documents/2012/package/mn_rapport_2012_en.pdf