WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1444/99 by Camilo NOGUEIRA ROMÁN Cultural development of the less-used European languages
C 27 E/70 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 29. 1. 2000 (2000/C 27 E/084) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1443/99 by Camilo Nogueira RomÆn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (1 September 1999) Subject: Introduction of a pilot job creation scheme in Galicia pursuant to the Treaty of Amsterdam Although the unemployment rate in Galicia stands at 17 % of the active population, neither the regional government nor the central government of the Spanish state has instituted a job creation plan for Galicia under the policy enshrined in the Treaty of Amsterdam and agreed by the Luxembourg European Council. Both governments have merely submitted ájob creation plansí to the EU which simply re-present budget headings already accounted for, relabelling them to bring them into apparent line with the Unionís requirements while introducing no significant innovations which might entail any real change in policy on a matter of crucial importance for the Galician economy. In view of this, does the Commission consider it possible to introduce a pilot job creation scheme in Galicia for 2000-2006, pursuant to the Treaty of Amsterdam? Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission (24 September 1999) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the reply it gave to his oral question H-442/99 during question time at Parliamentís September 1999 part-session (1). (1) Debates of the Parliament (September 1999). (2000/C 27 E/085) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1444/99 by Camilo Nogueira RomÆn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (1 September 1999) Subject: Cultural development of the less-used European languages Actions in the cultural field contribute to the promotion of cultural pluralism in Europe, as well as to its diversity and variety. The so-called minority languages are, however, still badly served by the EU budget. What is the Commissionís position regarding the need for equitable budget treatment of the cultural programmes based on the EUís less-used languages? Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (16 September 1999) Learning and disseminating minority languages does of course help to maintain linguistic and cultural diversity of the Community. The Commission has contributed to the promotion of regional and minority languages in the Community by the implementation until 1998 of an action ü Promotion and safeguard of regional and minority languages and culture ü funded by a specific item (B3-1006). The budget for this item rose from 100 000 € in 1993 to 4 million € in 1988. The main activities involved in promoting these languages were funding for projects presented by the language minorities concerned and for information activities (Mercator information network), language research and funding for the European Bureau for Lesser Used Languages (EBLUL)