WRITTEN QUESTION E-2547/03 by Joan Vallvé (ELDR) to the Council. Linguistic coexistence as reflected in Spanish passports.
Date: 2003-07-31
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Constitution, Spain, competence of the Member States, linguistic discrimination, passport, regional language

C 65 E/168

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

13.3.2004

(2004/C 65 E/184)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2547/03

by Joan Vallvé (ELDR) to the Council

(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 Council amend the above resolution so as to enable all the official
languages of a Member State to be incorporated in that state’s passports?

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

Joint answer
to Written Questions E- 2520/03 and E-2547/03

(17 November 2003)

The Council draws the attention of the Honourable Members to the fact that the Treaty of the European
Union does not provide for Community competence in this field.

(2004/C 65 E/185)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2523/03

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(29 July 2003)

Subject: Validity for other parts of the EU of the successful Flemish model for expanding public transport,

winning new passengers and providing services on a sound financial basis

1.
Is the Commission aware that (cid:1) partly as a result of efforts to reduce taxes and government
spending (cid:1) with the rise of the car loss-making public transport has been steadily declining and losing
passengers and that, as a result, transport links to and road safety and the quality of life in villages and
suburbs have suffered, whilst urbanisation, pollution and traffic problems have increased?

2.
Is the Commission aware, further, that in the Belgian federal State of Flanders the urban and regional
transport company De Lijn has succeeded in reversing this downward trend in the EU: over the last four
years, passenger numbers have increased by 47 %, and the figure for the period since 1990 is over 50 %?

Is the Commission aware that these excellent results have been achieved by means of the following

3.
measures:

(a)

since 1998 fares have been simplified and lowered;

(b) a decree has been issued laying down people’s right to basic mobility: as from 2006, anyone living in
a residential area must have a bus or tram stop within 500 to 750 metres of their home and services
must run at least hourly in rural areas and five times per hour in built-up areas;

(c) a number of target groups, such as young people, the elderly and inhabitants of the town of Hasselt,

have access to free public transport;