Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-09-04-Speech-4-008"
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".
Mr President, allow me to begin by thanking the rapporteur very warmly for his commitment, as it is a commitment to languages and therefore to human beings and to our citizens. It seeks to create a multilingual and multicultural Europe where we advocate diversity, because as far as we are concerned that is Europe’s real wealth.
Before ending, I would very briefly like to mention some of the points in the report. As far as the definition is concerned, I believe we are in agreement: we should use that of the Council of Europe, as set out in the European Charter of Regional or Minority Languages.
With regard to the European Bureau for Lesser Used Languages and the Mercator network, I know that many of you here are very interested in these instruments and hope that they can continue to operate. I can tell you that the proposal for a decision establishing an action programme to promote bodies active at European level in the field of culture is currently being negotiated. A total of EUR 5.4 million is being set aside to fund the Bureau and the Mercator network for the 2004-2008 period. You can therefore forget any concerns regarding this issue.
Finally, Mr President, the annex to the motion for a resolution sets out 20 different requests. I must stress that most of these requests go far beyond what could be implemented within the framework of the two legislative initiatives proposed by Parliament itself. I do not want to go into detail, but would remind you that many concrete initiatives to promote regional and minority languages are contained in this action plan and that substantial funding is already available.
The action plan aims to bring everything together and to present to the citizens in all their diversity the possibilities the European Union can offer them, the opportunities recommended in the action plan for languages, in other words the opportunities, Mr Ebner, that have exactly the same aim as your report: to turn this grand European linguistic mosaic into a great table for Europe’s cultural diversity.
Mr Ebner, both you and the Commissioner want the same thing. We now have to decide how to achieve it. I would like to go on to look at the two legislative proposals contained in the report. The first concerns an Agency on Linguistic Diversity. Although I do feel that such an agency would be useful, we must stop and think before launching such an undertaking. A feasibility study would be a vital stage in the considerations; it would provide us with a detailed assessment of the existing instruments, including those relating to regional and minority languages.
My services have carried out an evaluation of all of the activities relating to regional and minority languages, and a report should be published at the beginning of next year, which will serve as a first step on this path. I am sure you are aware, ladies and gentlemen, that a feasibility study on the creation of a Cultural Cooperation Observatory – the Ruffolo report – is already under way. I feel that it would be useful to learn the lessons of that experience before embarking upon a new exercise.
I would like to highlight the importance we place on the Council of Europe’s activities in the field of languages. I agree with you: we must coordinate the efforts of the Commission and the Council of Europe. Before going any further in terms of creating an agency, there should be an exchange of ideas regarding the methods for greater coordination.
The second point relates to the adoption of a multi-annual programme. I must admit, Mr President, that this poses a problem, as the Commission cannot accept this recommendation. It is not a question of substance, as you know very well that we are of the same opinion in that respect. I have already had several opportunities to talk to you about this issue. I have supported the idea that in the current circumstances the best way of promoting regional and minority languages is through an integrated approach. I am totally convinced of this, as a separate programme would, in my view, mean further isolation of regional and minority languages.
Now is the time for just the opposite, that is, giving them greater recognition. We must ensure support for these languages by making use of the possibilities provided by the existing programmes. Moreover, the European Year – you will no doubt agree – was an experience that integrated regional and minority languages. The implementation report demonstrates that regional and minority languages now occupy a prime position.
After careful consideration, the Commission decided to present an action plan, which the rapporteur has already mentioned and which I have brought with me today. You should have received a copy. If not, I have some copies here that you can have. Would the President like one? President Roca, your copy awaits!
This action plan is based on the conclusions of the Helsinki Conference on regional and minority languages, organised under the aegis of President Ahtisaari in October 2002. Mr Chairman of the Committee on Culture, Youth, Education, Media and Sport, if you like, I will outline this action plan, adopted on 24 July, in greater detail and talk to you about its implementation. The plan envisages the integrated approach I spoke about, as we must focus on the opportunities for financing within the framework of existing programmes and ensure that there is more awareness of these opportunities and that they are better utilised. As a result, thanks to the budget passed by Parliament, on 31 July the Commission published a call for proposals and the projects should be submitted by the end of this month.
Allow me also to say that we should take advantage of the discussions on the new generations of programme because if we truly want to implement a concerted action for languages, the new programmes should incorporate a significant multilingual element."@en1
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