MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
11 December 2001
pursuant to Rule 42(5) of the Rules of Procedure
by Eurig Wyn, Neil MacCormick, Bart Staes and Camilo Nogueira Román
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
on language diversity
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B5-0770/2001
B5‑0814/2001
European Parliament resolution on language diversity
The European Parliament,
A. whereas more than 40 million European Union citizens speak an autochthonous language other than the main official language of the State in which they live,
B. whereas languages are part of the richness of Europe, and cultural and linguistic diversity within the continent lie at the heart of fundamental rights for its citizens as the integration process advances,
C. whereas an essential part of this diversity is constituted by the lesser-used languages traditionally spoken by linguistic communities within the EU Member States,
D. whereas respect for and promotion of linguistic and cultural diversity should be one of the cornerstones of Europe,
1. Stresses that the linguistic diversity of Europe is an essential element in its cultural wealth and a key factor in the creation of a peaceful and democratic Europe;
2. Considers, while fully respecting the duty of the Member States and of regional and national governments within them to protect and promote their official language(s), that this duty must not be exercised to the detriment of the lesser-used languages and the people for whom they are a natural cultural vehicle;
3. Believes that the European Union should encourage action by the Member States and regional and national governments within them in cases where the protection of such languages and cultures is inadequate or non-existent;
4. Considers that the European Union has a responsibility to support the Member and applicant countries in developing their cultures and protecting their internal linguistic diversity;
5. Fully recognises that lesser-used languages are also an integral part of Europe’s culture and heritage and that, from this point of view, the European Union should provide them with a legal framework and the appropriate financial resources;
6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the Committee of the Regions and the various parliaments and assemblies of the Member States.