Doc. 9109
1 June 2001

European Year of Languages 2001

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Mr Rakhansky and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

1.       The Assembly welcomes the European Year of Languages 2001, an initiative of the Council of Europe followed by the European Union. It recalls in this respect its own Recommendation 1383 (1998) on linguistic diversification and its several reports on minority languages.

2.        The objective of the Year is to raise public awareness of the need to protect and preserve the rich linguistic heritage of Europe. It is a reminder that each language has a unique value and that all are equally valid as modes of expression for those who use them. The Year is also an opportunity to emphasise the need for all to have the opportunity to learn languages. Communication skills in other languages are essential in order to respond to cultural, economic and social changes in Europe.

3.       The Assembly is convinced that plurilingualism should actively be promoted among Europeans. This should be understood as a certain degree of communicative ability in a number of languages, not necessarily mastery of language – and should be in addition to English, today’s world lingua franca.

4.       The Assembly hopes that the Year will focus attention on language policies that address cultural diversity, social cohesion, stability, citizenship and human rights as well as economic competitiveness.

5.        The Assembly notes that 26 September 2001 has been designated European Day of Languages and proposes to make its own contribution to the Year on this occasion.

6.        The Assembly recommends that the Committee of Ministers:

i.       organise a European Day of Languages each year in order to keep the aims of the Year alive as they are essentially long-term goals;

ii.       call on member states to support and further develop the Council of Europe language policy initiatives, such as the European Language Portfolio, the Guide for Language Education Policies and the descriptions of learning objectives for languages (including “threshold levels”);

iii.       instruct its competent bodies to review the many interesting initiatives to promote and improve language learning that have been a direct or indirect result of the Year with a view to supporting their further development;

iv.       encourage further signing and ratification of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages by member states.

Signed : ¹

Rakhansky, Ukraine, UEL

Abbasov, Azerbaijan, EDG

Agudo, Spain, SOC

Baburin, Ukraine, UEL

Damanaki, Greece, UEL

De Puig, Spain, SOC

Duka-Zólyomi, Slovakia, EPP/CD

Fernández-Capel, Spain, EPP/CD

Galoyan, Armenia, EPP/CD

Hancock, United Kingdom, LDR

Hegyi, Hungary, SOC

Higgins, Ireland, SOC

Isohookana-Asunmaa, Finland, LDR

Khunov, Ukraine, UEL

Kiely, Ireland, LDR

Lemoine, France, SOC

Lucyga, Germany, SOC

Nabholz-Haidegger, Switzerland, LDR

Nemcova, Czech Republic, EDG

Risari, Italy, EPP/CD

Roseta, Portugal, EPP/CD

Sağlam, Turkey, EPP/CD

Tanik, Turkey, EDG

Valk, Netherlands, SOC

Varela i Serra, Spain, LDR

Wittbrodt, Poland, EPP/CD

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group