Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2002-04-09-Speech-2-234"
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"en.20020409.10.2-234"2
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"Surprisingly, the fact that the report that is before us today is attracting a great deal of interest in my country, Flanders, has less to do with the actual topic of the Community patent than with the proposed language regime, whereby, unfortunately, a distinction is once again being drawn between first-rate and second-rate languages within the European Union. Indeed, following on from the Council’s position, the rapporteur suggests applying the procedure, the working method, of the Trademarks Bureau to the Community patent.
Let there be no doubt about this: this is unacceptable to us in Flanders. All EU working languages should be treated equally, certainly including Dutch, my language, which is spoken by more than 21 million Europeans. And I am quite aware that this will, of course, entail a considerable additional cost. We should accept this as the price we have to pay if we want to retain this diversity which makes up the richness of our continent. I have in fact noticed quite specifically that the Member States of these so-called ‘major’ languages would also be prepared to get the European Union to carry this considerable cost if their language were likely to be pushed aside.
In fact, the OVV, the Flemish Associations Consultation Centre, a large representative umbrella organisation for a large number of Flemish cultural-political associations in my country, is making similar demands, and has decided in this case that if the European Union fails to come up with the goods, Europe is at risk of becoming an increasingly alienated occupying force instead of a co-operative based on equality, with respect for the national identity of all Members, as is, in fact, enshrined in the basic treaties. This serves as a serious warning issued by a large and important cultural-political association. This voice should also be heard in the European Union."@en1
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