Romanian Center for Missing & Sexually Exploited Children

Brussels, Belgium, 25 May 2011 – Missing Children Europe (MCE), the European Federation for Missing and Sexually Exploited Children that represents 24 NGOs from 18 European countries, is commemorating today International Missing Children's Day, which also marks the 10th anniversary of the creation of MCE.

International Missing Children's Day is celebrated annually on 25 May since 2001, using the forget-me-not flower as a symbol. It is a moment of remembrance and solidarity with the 8 million families worldwide who face a case of missing children every year1.

Today's commemoration coincides with the 10th anniversary of Missing Children Europe,. which organises a reception at the European Parliament, in presence of H.M. Queen Paola of Belgium, Vice President of the European Commission Viviane Reding, Vice President of the European Commission Neelie Kroes, Hungarian Minister of Justice Tibor Navracsics and Vice President of the European Parliament Roberta Angelilli, in order to promote the implementation of the '116 000' hotline number for missing children across Europe. 25 May is also the deadline for implementation of the Universal Services Directive (USD), which imposes new obligations on Member States including the promotion and assured accessibility of the '116 000'.