Commission interpreters and their trip to China
13.10.2021
Priority question for written answer P-004659/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Virginie Joron (ID)
Despite the fact that Chinese is not (yet) an official EU language, since 1985 the Commission has hosted 500 Chinese diplomats for five-month interpreting traineeships in Brussels[1].
On 19 September 2021, around 10 Commission officials opened a one-year exhibition in Shanghai on interpreting for the Commission in Brussels.
Although it is unclear whether this investment will lead to jobs for Europeans being created in Europe, the Brussels administration is teaching interpreting at Chinese universities[2].
Meanwhile, at the European Parliament, no interpreting into French is being provided for the negotiations on the Digital Markets Act – the most important legislative file for keeping digital giants (such as GAFAM) in check.
- 1.What is the total cost (in terms of staff numbers and working hours) of the exhibition, the trip for its inauguration and the annual interpreting services organised by the Commission in China?
- 2.Can the Commission immediately lend interpreters to the European Parliament for the negotiations on the Digital Markets Act?