Search
Subscribe
Stronger protection is needed for Europe’s minority and regional languages
Brussels, September, 24 2025 — At the European parliamentary event titled Pillars of Diversity: Our linguistic heritage shapes Europe, held on the occasion of the European Day of Languages, Loránt Vincze—Chair of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on Traditional Minorities, National Communities and Languages and President of FUEN (Federal Union of European Nationalities)—framed the day’s message around three action-oriented pillars: education, visibility, and digital presence. He emphasized that minority and regional languages are “treasures we must preserve for future generations,” and that citizens should feel proud to use their mother tongue in the street, at school, in the workplace, and online.
Loránt Vincze’s focus: keeping language rights on the EU agenda
Vincze’s message was not only a statement of values but a concrete EU agenda:
Education – early and continuous access to mother-tongue learning;
Visibility – the presence of minority languages in both the public and private spheres;
Digital presence – securing a place for these languages in Europe’s technological future (AI, platforms, databases).
These three pillars also define the backbone of the Intergroup’s work program, which Vincze coordinates as chair.
FUEN activities on site
Robert Dunbar, member of the Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (ECRML) at the Council of Europe, called for further accessions and the strengthening of existing commitments – with broader coverage of minority languages spoken in Europe. The event highlighted the key role of the Charter in safeguarding linguistic pluralism.
The Language Charter’s Message: More Ratifications, Stronger Commitments
Robert Dunbar, member of the Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (ECRML) of the Council of Europe, urged countries to pursue further ratifications and to reinforce their existing commitments—extending protection to an even wider range of minority languages spoken across Europe. The event emphasized the Charter’s crucial role in safeguarding linguistic pluralism.
EU instruments: make access easier
At the roundtable, Anna Solé Mena (European Commission, DG EAC) highlighted the opportunities offered by Erasmus+, Creative Europe, and Horizon Europe, while urging the removal of barriers faced by small, grassroots organizations. Anna Jungner-Nordgren (NPLD) emphasized embedding linguistic diversity into mainstream EU programs and strengthening structured dialogue with FUEN and other networks.
The event’s message was clear: multilingualism is not a cost but an investment in Europe’s democratic, cultural, and economic future. Although 40–50 million people speak more than 60 regional or minority languages, this diversity remains fragile, requiring greater recognition and consistent implementation at both EU and Member State levels. The photo report is also recorded in the EP’s official gallery.
Sources:
Council of Europe — ECRML news on the event (24.09.2025). Portal +1
FUEN communication on the EP event and the content of the interventions. https://fuen.org/ +1
EP Intergroup official page — leadership and membership. European Parliament
Council of Europe — 25th anniversary of the European Day of Languages. Portal
