WRITTEN QUESTION E-2548/03 by Joan Vallvé (ELDR) to the Commission. Linguistic coexistence as reflected in Spanish passports.
Date: 2003-07-31
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Constitution, European passport, Spain, competence of the Member States, language policy, linguistic discrimination, minority language

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/121

(2004/C 78 E/0122)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2521/03

by Carles-Alfred Gasòliba i Böhm (ELDR) to the Commission

Subject: Linguistic plurality of Spain with regard to passports

(29 July 2003)

The Resolution of 10 July 1995 (1) requires all Member States to adjust the format of their passports by
replacing the term ‘European Communities’ with that of ‘European Union’.

In connection with this adjustment, a proposal was tabled in the Spanish Parliament that centred on
recognising the plurality of official languages in passports of citizens resident in autonomous communities
where there is more than one official language. However, the Spanish Government rejected this proposal,
citing the Resolution of 23 June 1981 (2).

Since Article I-3 of the Draft EU Constitutional Treaty states that ‘The Union shall respect its rich cultural
and linguistic diversity’ and Article II-22 thereof adds that ‘The Union shall respect cultural, religious and
linguistic diversity’, thus echoing the Charter on Fundamental Rights, and given the conclusions of the
European Year of Languages established by decision of
the Parliament and the Council: Does the
Commission intend to propose that the said Resolution be amended so that, whenever the case arises, all
the official languages in an EU Member State are included?

(1) OJ C 200, 4.8.1995, p. 1.
(2) OJ C 241, 19.9.1981, p. 1.

(2004/C 78 E/0123)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2548/03

by Joan Vallvé (ELDR) to the Commission

(31 July 2003)

Subject: Linguistic coexistence as reflected in Spanish passports

The resolution of 10 July 1995 (1) requires all Member States to adjust the format of their passports by
replacing the term ‘European Communities’ with ‘European Union’.

In connection with this adjustment, a proposal has been tabled in the Spanish Congress of Deputies to
recognise the coexistence of official languages in the passports issued to citizens living in an autonomous
community where there is more than one official language. The Spanish Government, however, refuses to
accept that proposal, citing the resolution of 23 June 1981 (2).

Given that Article I-3 of the draft Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe states that ‘The Union shall
respect its rich cultural and linguistic diversity’ and Article II-22, moreover, stipulates that ‘The Union shall
respect cultural, religious and linguistic diversity’, thus echoing the Charter of Fundamental Rights, and
having regard to the conclusions arising from European Year of Languages, as laid down by decision of
Parliament and the Council: Will the Commission propose that the above resolution be amended so that,
whenever the case arises, all the official languages in an EU Member State can be covered?

(1) OJ C 200, 4.8.1995, p. 1.
(2) OJ C 241, 19.9.1981, p. 1.

Joint answer to
Written Questions E-2521/03 and E-2548/03
given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(24 September 2003)

The Commission would point out
the
Governments of the Member States meeting within the Council on 23 June 1981, entries on passports
must be made in the official language(s) of the Member State issuing the passport.

that, according to the Resolution of

the Representatives of

It is for each Member State to decide which is or are its official language or languages.

The Commission is not, therefore, planning to propose an amendment to that Resolution.