Making History in Welsh
November 20, 2008
Plaid MEP Jill Evans, who has campaigned for many years for official status for the Welsh language at European Union level, has welcomed today’s first speech in Welsh at the EU Council of Ministers.Welsh Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones will speak Welsh at a ministerial meeting of the EU’s Culture Council in Brussels on Thursday where interpretation will be provided into other languages.
Speaking ahead of the meeting the Plaid MEP said:
“I’m delighted that today the Welsh language is finally getting the same recognition as other European languages. I’ve been campaigning for official status for Welsh in Europe for many years. This is literally making history in Welsh.
“This is of huge symbolic importance and will raise the profile of Wales as a nation on the European stage. I congratulate Alun Ffred Jones and the One Wales Government for making it happen. I also want to thank all of the organisations and individuals in Wales who have given such strong support to this campaign.
“In spite of those who laughed at the idea, including then Prime Minister Tony Blair, and despite opposition from the other parties, we have come a long way. But this isn’t the end of the story. I’m still pushing the European Parliament to adopt similar new rules for Welsh. The fact that other European bodies have done it shows that it is both possible and practical.”
Add to Favourites
Filed Under Politics
