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Document 92001E003259
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3259/01 by Mario Borghezio (NI) to the Commission. Use of the Occitan language at the Winter Olympic Games — Turin 2006.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3259/01 by Mario Borghezio (NI) to the Commission. Use of the Occitan language at the Winter Olympic Games — Turin 2006.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3259/01 by Mario Borghezio (NI) to the Commission. Use of the Occitan language at the Winter Olympic Games — Turin 2006.
OJ C 115E, 16.5.2002, p. 241–242
(ES, DA, DE, EL, EN, FR, IT, NL, PT, FI, SV)
92001E3259
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3259/01 by Mario Borghezio (NI) to the Commission. Use of the Occitan language at the Winter Olympic Games — Turin 2006.
Official Journal 115 E , 16/05/2002 P. 0241 - 0242
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3259/01 by Mario Borghezio (NI) to the Commission (23 November 2001) Subject: Use of the Occitan language at the Winter Olympic Games Turin 2006 Formulating its request in line with Law 482/99 concerning regulations on the protection of historic linguistic minorities, the Chambra Economica Europèa Dels Paìses Occitans Chambra d'Oc has asked the Organising Committee of the XX Winter Olympic Games Turin 2006 (TOROC) to implement this law on the occasion of the Games through the use of the Occitan language on all official occasions, and especially during the inaugural ceremony of the Games. It has also launched an appeal to the relevant institutional bodies asking them to support this request. The Occitan language, the expression of one of the great European peoples, extends over the territories of three European countries Italy (Padania), France and Spain and is the language spoken in the Occitan Valleys which are to host the 2006 Winter Games. What steps does the Commission intend to take, including action under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, to ensure that TOROC grants the Occitans' valid request? Would the granting of this request be of great symbolic value in relation to Europe's recognition and practical protection of all European linguistic minorities? Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission (20 December 2001) The Commission congratulates Piedmont on its hosting of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games and is confident that it will exploit this unique opportunity to make the whole world aware of the cultural attractions and special features of this area situated in the heart of Europe. The European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages is a Council of Europe document that has been put to the organisation's member countries for ratification. Although Italy has not yet signed it, the Charter has served as inspiration for Italian Law No 482/99 on the protection of historical linguistic minorities. The European Union does not have the specific competence, either in this field or with regard to sport, to take action in the direction suggested by the Honourable Member.