WRITTEN QUESTION P-3090/00

by Eurig Wyn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(25 September 2000)

Subject: Macedonian language in Greece

Languages are part of the richness of Europe. With the next European Year of Languages, the European institutions have shown the need to prioritise this issue. Beyond the official recognition of some national languages in the European institutions, it is also vital that the Union and its Member States attend to the protection of Europe's linguistic and cultural diversity, especially the lesser used languages.

Several international charters recognise the right of citizens to maintain and develop their own languages. On 16 March 2000, the European Parliament voted for such a reference in its report on a European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights.

In Greece, the Macedonian language has no official recognition. Despite the fact that this language is widely used in some areas, it simply does not exist in the education system or in the mass media.

Does the Commission consider that a Europe of the Citizens has to promote the protection and development of all languages? Would the Commission consider supporting projects coming from organisations acting in favour of the Macedonian language in Greece? Which concrete actions will the Commission propose in the context of the European Year of Languages?

Does the Commission monitor the process of signing and ratification of the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages? Would the Commission recommend, as the European Parliament did on 16 March 2000, signing and ratifying it?

Answer given by Ms Reding on behalf of the Commission

(25 October 2000)

Respect for linguistic and cultural diversity is one of the cornerstones of the European integration process, and the Commission keeps a very close watch on the linguistic situation in the various Member States and of the regional and minority language groups. It commissioned a study on this subject, which took stock of the situation of the indigenous regional and minority language communities. This study, called Euromosaic, includes an analysis of the Slavo-Macedonian community in Greece. However, very few projects concerning the Macedonian language have been received under the measure carried out by the Commission to promote and safeguard regional and minority languages and cultures.

The main objective of the European Year of Languages is to encourage the citizens of Europe to develop their language skills and to show them just how rich the European linguistic heritage is, without giving priority to certain languages or targeting one language in particular. Accordingly, the languages concerned will be the official languages of the Community, Irish and Luxembourgish, and the other languages indicated by the Member States for the purposes of the application of the Decision.

Most of the activities will be financed through a call for proposals and will depend on the projects proposed by European associations and organisations. All the projects proposed will have to contribute to the fulfilment of the objectives described in the Decision on the European Year of Languages.

The Commission will finance presentation events in each Member State, and a vast information campaign will stress the rich variety of languages in Europe.

The European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages is an initiative of the Council of Europe and, given its importance, the Commission is watching very closely the procedure of the signing and ratification of the text by the Member States. As in the case of any initiative taken by the Council of Europe, the Member States are free to decide whether or not to adopt the text. On the basis of the principle of subsidiarity, it would therefore be inappropriate for the Commission to intervene in relation to their decision concerning the signing or ratification of the Charter.