Slovak government's strong support for linguistic diversity plans

[Harold F. Schiffman]

EBLUL Slovakia : strong support from the Slovak government for the
Commission's linguistic diversity plans

Somorja / Samorin, Tuesday, 11 October 2005 by Davyth Hicks

Deputy Slovakian Prime Minister Pal Csaky promised the full support of the
Slovak government to the Commissions proposals for linguistic diversity
and support for regional or minority languages at the weekend.

Meeting at a high powered European Bureau for Lesser-Used Languages
(EBLUL) conference in the Hungarian-speaking town of Somorja / amorn, EU
Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Multilingualism, Jn
Figel, and Ministers from the Slovak government discussed European
linguistic diversity and progressing development for lesser-used
languages.

Following a meeting with EBLUL President Neasa n Chinnide and Slovakian
EBLUL President Laszlo Ollos, Mr Figels speech to the conference
summarised the Commissions work in promoting linguistic diversity. He
described the Commissions position that "linguistic and cultural diversity
will be preserved", and how "Multilingualism is important for
co-existence".

"Diversity is a wealth" he said and that "languages were more important
than 30 years ago", adding that "each of them is unique and precious". Mr
Figel said that the Commission had limited resources but encouraged member
states to ratify the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
(ECRML), outlining how the Commission had supported numerous projects,
including EBLUL, over the years. He praised the NGO for building an
awareness of regional or minority languages and supported its continued
expansion.

He concluded that the Commission will "respect and support a multilingual
society and help to build a citizen-friendly Europe". The
Hungarian-speaking Deputy PM Pal Csaky pointed how a multilingual Europe
meant that "it could play a leading role in world affairs", he outlined
language development in the various small countries around Europe
describing Basque, for example, "as waiting for its place in Europe".

Commenting on his own government he said that Slovakia had ratified the
ECRML in good spirit but that the Charter was still not being fully
implemented. He welcomed the creation of the Slovakian branch of EBLUL,
which the government supported, and promised further support with more
projects co-financed by the Slovak Republic and the EU.

He spoke about the struggles of the Ladin community in South Tyrol, saying
that "when a community wants to keep its language its the duty of the EU
to support them". "Each language has to find its place in the mosaic of
nations no matter how many people use it". He added.

Importantly, Mr Csaky underlined the strong support and willingness of the
Slovak government to work with the EU Commission on regional or minority
language projects. The conference continued over the weekend with lectures
and working groups discussing the situation of minoritised languages and
linguistic rights in the new member states, the event closed with a
concert featuring Hungarian music and dance. (Eurolang 2005)

SlovBLUL website http://www.slovblul.sk

The Forum Minority Research Institute http://www.foruminst.sk/
http://www.eurolang.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2473&Itemid=1&lang=en