The protection of minority languages at the european level

Abstract

The linguistic diversity within the European Union is an expression of the multiculturalism and plurality which is the basis of today’s Europe. That is why the EU institutions have adopted various regulations aimed at the promotion, preservation and protection of the languages used by EU citizens, especially those of so-called regional or minority groups. Though implementing this protection is delegated to Member States themselves, the EU authorities for their part have also taken decisive steps in order to ensure the continued health of the languages that enrich the idiosyncrasies of both the Member States and of the Union itself. While the protection of minorities at a Community level was not an initial priority at the outset of the EU given the greater importance of economic and political considerations. However, with the entry into force of the Treaty of Maastricht there has been a significant change in this respect; the recognition of minority rights has now become a reality. This recognition is now given due consideration as evidenced by the provisions of both the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the Treaty of Lisbon. This paper has outlined the progress that has been made in the protection of linguistic minorities at the EU community level, without forgetting the work within other extra-Eu institutions, as it is the case of the Council of Europe, among others, without whose work the levels of protection of existing minority languages not have reached today.