Euskara and the European Council

This is great news for all of us who cherish Euskara, the Basque language.

The note appeared at EITb:

Life

Youth and Education Council

Basque language will be listened in the European council

11/16/2007

According to Azkarate, this event, which will take place at 3:00 p.m., it is only a demand because "there is no frame to talk about minority languages".

The European Union will listen to Basque Government's spokeswoman, Miren Azkarate, at 3:00 p.m. talking in Basque, in her speech in front of the Education and Youth Council. It is the first time Basque is spoken in an European ministries Council. A step forward, though it is only a demand, because in the European union there is no frame to talk about linguistical politics.

Azkarate pointed out that there is no "frame to talk in minority language between the states members of the European Union. There is a minister, Mr. Orban, working in this kind of things, so we hope to find a solution son".

Azkarate will attend Friday representing Spain's 17 autonomous communities, will present to the Education and Youth council, the policy in this area in Basque language.

Basque language has limited officialty in the European Union. Sessions in the European Parliament, the commission and the council are not translated into Basque.

legislations Adopted by the Parliament are translated into Basque and published in this language. Moreover, oral interventions in minority languages, as Basque government's Culture council will do Friday, are also allowed.

For speaking in Basque, Miren Azkarate, had to announce the speech previously and give the translation to the translators so that they can write the speech in other languages.

There is still a lot of work to be done when it comes to strengthening Euskara and finding new spaces for it to develop.

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