site.btaBulgaria, Sweden to Cooperate in Integration of Vulnerable Groups in Society, Labour Market

Bulgaria, Sweden to Cooperate in Integration of Vulnerable Groups in Society, Labour Market

Sofia, February 16 (BTA) - Bulgaria and Sweden will cooperate in the integration of vulnerable groups in society and in the labour market, the Labour and Social Policy Ministry said in a press release Thursday, after a meeting between caretaker Labour and Social Minister Gulub Donev and Swedish Ambassador for Bulgaria Bergholm, who is based in Stockholm. The two officials discussed policies for the integration of such groups and the practices in Bulgaria and Sweden for support of people with refugee or humanitarian status. Also on the agenda of the meeting were the opportunities to expand the cooperate in the area of social policy.

Attending the meeting was Deputy Labour and Social Policy Minister Lazar Lazarov and Sweden's national coordinator for disadvantaged European citizens Claes Ling-Vannerus.

Donev said that overcoming the negative stereotypes and changing people's and society's attitudes are important elements in the implementation of the integration policy. He also said that the integration policy is a long-term effort and part of an overall strategy for fighting poverty and social exclusion.

Donev dwelled on the good practices Bulgaria uses in tackling the problems of the integration of vulnerable groups.