WRITTEN QUESTION E-2904/02

by Nelly Maes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(16 October 2002)

Subject: Breton

Not long ago, European Languages Day was held. That day, a report was presented concerning Breton, the only Celtic language which still survives in mainland Europe, which is in danger of extinction.

Of the four million inhabitants of Brittany, only 300 000 now understand Breton. Nineteen years ago the figure was twice that. More than 80 % of those who still understand Breton are aged over 60. It is a race against time, because if things continue as they are now, Breton stands no chance of survival. The Bretons are critical of Paris, which does not officially recognise their language.

There are no subsidies for the 3 000 children who take Breton at school, because apparently no legal basis for them exists. This is an untenable situation.

Will the Commission take the initiative to create a legal basis, acting on its powers and responsibilities in the field of education?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(19 November 2002)

In the area of education, Article 149 of the EC Treaty states very clearly that the content of teaching and the organisation of education systems are the responsibility of the Member States.

The Community acts within the limits of its powers under the Treaties to safeguard the diversity of languages used in Europe, particularly in the areas of culture and education. Past action in the area of regional and minority languages put the focus namely on education in an attempt to preserve language vitality. In keeping with Article 151(4), which states that cultural aspects must be taken into account in all activities of the Union, many projects involving regional and minority languages have been financed under a variety of Community programmes in such policy areas as regional and rural development, information society and social policy.

Following Council Resolution of 14 February 2002 on the promotion of linguistic diversity and language learning in the framework of the implementation of the European Year of Languages(1), the Commission will undertake a wide-ranging consultation based upon a Discussion Document, which will be published later on in 2002. The outcome of this process will be a Communication to the Parliament and the Council in mid-2003 on an Action Plan to promote language learning and linguistic diversity based on actions using resources available in existing Community programmes and activities in which regional and minority languages will be included too.

(1) OJ C 50, 23.2.2002.