Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-01-13-Speech-2-351"

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"en.20040113.16.2-351"2
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". Madam President, cultural diversity is a popular concept in the European Union. Most of the time, however, we avoid the problem of cultural identity, because that is far more sensitive, certainly where definitions are concerned. This is why I should like to talk about this. Mrs Prets’ report largely draws on my ideas and on those of other Members, and I should like to thank her for the way in which we have been able to work together. I therefore endorse what both the rapporteur and Commissioner Reding have said in their fine speeches to this House. My guiding principle is that respect for a community's cultural identity is a condition for peaceful coexistence. It is also a condition for the integration of people into another cultural community without this leading to frustration and alienation. Anyone who fails to respect a person’s culture does not respect the person himself, does not invite mutual respect and does not show any signs of being prepared to engage in a cultural dialogue which, in a world of ever more far-reaching globalisation, is necessary for cultural development. Striving towards maintaining one's own culture should therefore not lead to isolation, xenophobia or racism. We should, however, be aware that the market will not rescue diversity. This is why we need instruments and resources to retain diversity, as well as opportunities of establishing this retention of cultural identity. Despite this, languages and cultures are disappearing very fast, and I am therefore delighted with the emphasis you have placed on this principle that should lead us, also for example in the contacts with the developing countries. I am convinced that each community should have the opportunity of safeguarding its own culture against oppression, for example from language imperialism. Respect for languages is one of the major assets in the enlargement of Europe, one that we have already had the pleasure of experiencing among ourselves. Finally, I hope that the instruments that are being developed internationally, along with the instruments that you and the EU will be developing, will serve diversity and will facilitate cultural identity in the proper sense of the word."@en1

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