WRITTEN DECLARATION

under Rule 136 of Parliament's Rules of Procedure,

on the Protection and Promotion of Regional and Minority Languages in the EU

Ivan Jakovčić (ALDE)

1.  The European Union has over 60 regional or minority languages spoken by over 40 million people;

2.  Nearly all regional and minority language communities face difficulties in ensuring the survival of their languages; 49 languages are severely endangered;

3. Protection of regional and minority languages is a human rights obligation and an essential component of the construction of equal, multicultural and tolerable societies, part of the human identity;

 4. The European Parliament adopted in 2013 by 645 votes in favor the so-called "Alfonsi report";

 5.  The Commission is called to envisage additional actions concerning the protection of endangered languages and to provide increased financial support to the language communities, local and regional authorities to raise awareness of lesser-used languages;

6. The Commission is called to:

- advise Member States, regional and local authorities that similar support should be given to each endangered regional or minority language community;

- encourage Member States to use regional or minority languages spoken within its territory during the European and all other election campaigns;

7.  This Declaration, together with the names of the signatories, is forwarded to the Commission.