The parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe adopted in 1993 the Recommendation »Roma in Europe«, ascertaining that Roma contribute to a large degree to the cultural diversity of Europe, naming them a »European minority«. Nevertheless the main purpose of activities of international organizations aiming at the improvement of the status of Roma community often remains, first and foremost, the prevention of social exclusion as well as the ensuring of basic living conditions. The article deals with the question whether the defining of Roma as a European minority is merely a reflection of the fact that they live in nearly all European states, or whether it also contains elements of common endeavours for the improvement of their status.