First time Welsh will be translated in the European Parliament

The Welsh language takes another step to becoming an official language of the EU on Thursday , with Welsh translation being used for the first time at the European Parliament. Plaid MEP, Jill Evans will be speaking in Welsh with translation in a seminar on language policy. Mrs Evans believes that this historic step for the Welsh language can be a springboard for Welsh to be recognised as an official EU language.

She said:

"I am delighted to be the first MEP to speak the Welsh language with interpretation in the European Parliament. This is an historic day. We have campaigned long and hard for recognition of our languages in the parliament and this is another step forward. Currently Welsh enjoys a semi-official status after a long hard campaign. It is now my goal to use this historic day to push for Welsh to be a fully recognised EU language."

The event, called "Language diversity: A Challenge for Europe", is organised by the European Free Alliance Group in the European Parliament, of which Jill Evans MEP is President.

Plaid MEP Jill Evans said:

"The discrimination against some languages has to end so that there is equality for all people in the EU. We are constantly talking about how Europe can develop a better relationship with its citizens. There is no better place to start than by using the languages people actually speak. Our event will set this issue firmly on the agenda of Parliament."

Diwedd/Ends.