WRITTEN QUESTION No. 95/99 by Gerardo FERNÁNDEZ-ALBOR to the Commission. Spanish as a compulsory school subject in the United States
Date: 1999-01-27
Institutions: European Parliament, FERNANDEZ ALBOR
Subjects: Spain, United States, agreement (EU), cooperation agreement (EU), cultural relations, educational exchange, higher education, language teaching

15.10.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 297/143

(1999/C 297/195)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0092/99

by Gerardo Fernández-Albor (PPE) to the Commission

Subject: Community study centre devoted to Santiago de Compostela

(27 January 1999)

The fact that the year which has just begun, 1999, is a Holy Year dedicated to Santiago de Compostela should
prompt the Union to consider how its cultural heritage might be made to encompass the historical dimension
spanning entire centuries of European practices revolving around a unique custom which has left its mark on
the European genius.

Setting out from different starting-points, Europeans have, through many centuries, journeyed, endured
difficulties, and fulfilled longings, and have consequently been more readily able to identify with a common
cause, or the essence of our continent, just as other parts of the world have become identified with different
expressions of their own culture.

To mark the Holy Year dedicated to Santiago de Compostela, does the Commission believe that the Union
should take the decision to set up a study centre in the place lying at the heart of the tradition concerning St
James - Santiago de Compostela - with a view to exploring the historical role of pilgrimages to that city
within the unifying tradition of a spirit which has helped to bring the European continent as a whole culturally
closer together?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(11 March 1999)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member’s view on the religious and cultural heritage importance of
‘Santiago de Compostella’ for Europe. It is in this context, that in the framework of its cultural heritage actions
and Raphael programme, the Commission has, in the last few years, supported financially the efforts of the
Spanish authorities to preserve and enhance monuments along the Saint Jacques de Compostelle pilgrimage
route.

A study centre devoted to ‘Santiago de Compostella’, would certainly contribute towards a better under-
standing of the historical role of pilgrimages and their positive effect in European cultural heritage terms.
However, it has to be noted that in application of the subsidiarity principle and given the limited resources
available, the Commission cannot take the decision of setting up such a centre. Any assistance on behalf of the
Commission can, presently, only be envisaged within the framework of the Raphael programme which aims to
encourage and support European cooperation initiatives in favour of the preservation and enhancement of
cultural heritage as stipulated in Article 128 of the EC Treaty. In this context, should the Spanish authorities
present a proposal which meets the criteria of the Raphael programme for 1999, as published in the Official
journal (1), the Commission would gladly receive an application for consideration.

(1) OJ C 342, 10.11.1998.

(1999/C 297/196)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0095/99

by Gerardo Fernández-Albor (PPE) to the Commission

Subject: Spanish as a compulsory school subject in the United States

(27 January 1999)

The US Secretary of Education maintains that Spanish will form part of the core curriculum in the country’s
schools. This is one of the key goals which the Clinton Administration is aiming to achieve in the run-up to the
year 2000, and Bill Clinton himself has said in a recent speech that US children should learn Spanish if it was
not their mother tongue.

The Commission should consequently support and provide logistical back-up for the joint agreement between
the United States and Spain to promote Spanish in the US, bearing in mind that the question will have an
important role to play in enhancing the prestige of Community culture as a whole.

To what extent is the Commission willing to assist Spain in the task of spreading the influence of the Spanish
language in the United States? How far can its solidarity be interpreted to mean that it will help to remedy such
shortcomings as might arise?