91998E3091

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3091/98

by Joan Vallvé (ELDR) to the Commission

(16 October 1998)

Subject: Universal Declaration of Linguistic Rights

On 6 June 1996 the Universal Declaration of Linguistic Rights was adopted in Barcelona during the World Conference on Linguistic Rights, on the initiative of International PEN's Translation and Linguistic Rights Committee and Ciemen (Escarré International Centre for the Ethnic Minorities and Nations) and with moral and technical support from Unesco.

The prime objective of that declaration, which was produced thanks to the work of various NGOs and experts on linguistic issues and has received the support of many international figures in a range of fields, is to promote respect for and the full development of all languages and to preserve world linguistic diversity. In this light, will the Commission support the declaration with the aim of guaranteeing the right of each community to conserve and promote its language?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(19 January 1999)

The Commission is taking action to promote and safeguard regional and minority languages and cultures, which is being funded under budget heading B3-1006. The objective of this action is to promote and safeguard linguistic diversity in Europe. Projects relating to languages are therefore eligible for funding under this action, provided they comply with the objectives and criteria set out in the calls for proposals. The Honourable Member is also referred to the Commission's answers to Written Questions E-963/98 from Mr Imaz San Miguel(1) and E-2139/98 from Mr Frischenschlager(2).

However, it must be emphasised that the recognition of linguistic rights within the Member States is not the responsibility of the Commission.

(1) OJ C 310, 15.12.1998.

(2) OJ C 50, 22.2.1999, p. 130.