Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-09-04-Speech-4-014"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2003-09-04"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:Regional and lesser-used languages – enlargement and cultural diversity2
dcterms:Language	"fr"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20030904.2.4-014"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2003-09-04-Speech-4-0152
lpv:speaker	lp:Alain Esclopé2
lpv:spokenAs	vice-chair; Delegation to the EU-Romania Joint Parliamentary Committee (2002-02-07--2004-07-19)3 member; EDD (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3 member; Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism (2002-01-17--2004-07-19)3 substitute; Committee on Culture, Youth, Education, the Media and Sport (2002-01-17--2004-07-19)3 unknown; Chasse, Pêche, Nature, Traditions (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3
lpv:translated text	"Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to thank the rapporteur, Mr Ebner, for his report on the promotion of regional and minority languages, which goes hand in hand with the values supported by our group, in particular those relating to rural issues. It is vital to safeguard and promote these languages. A heritage of our past, they cement peoples and territories and add the specific characteristics and cachet to numerous regions throughout Europe, like here, Alsace or Catalonia – Northern Catalonia – from which I come. Mr Vallvé, we are the symbol of geographical diversity for the same so-called minority language. I do wonder, however, about the means of fulfilling this objective and, in particular, the need for a European Agency for Linguistic Diversity and Language Learning. How, exactly, is it going to operate on the ground to promote this learning? Would it not be better to apply the subsidiarity principle and work at national level, much closer to local level? That would make it possible to respect cultural traditions and the administrative and constitutional organisation of each state by encouraging them to promote, first and foremost, the learning of regional and minority languages from nursery school and, then, the organisation of cultural events such as twinning and school exchanges that would encompass the identity and history of the people. We must not rob the Member States of their power of action in the field of training and culture. I see Amendment No 5 as a step in the right direction, as it encourages ongoing support for minority and regional languages in a context of political neutrality and independently of any mercenary, financial considerations. We must also provide a legal basis for these actions so that we can get out of the mess caused by the ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Communities and allow European funds to be used. Allow me, as a member of the Disability Intergroup, to say how pleased I am to see the reference to sign language, which, according to the Council of Europe, is used by more than 3 million of our fellow citizens. There could perhaps have been greater emphasis on these languages as their users face the same problems on a daily basis as the people using the languages covered by this report. It is essential that all the members of the Union ratify the Council of Europe’s European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. After 2001, the European Year of Languages, I hope that the excellent links we have with the Council of Europe can continue to grow, especially with the secretariat of the Charter. That would seem to me to be a pragmatic and effective way of encouraging and developing the use of our regional languages."@en1

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