The acting Government of Pedro Sánchez is willing to fight in the European Union for the incorporation of Catalan, Basque and Galician as official languages and in the face of doubts expressed by countries such as Sweden and Finland, which have warned of the financial consequences. of the proposal, has offered that Spain should assume the cost of using these co-official languages.
The offer occurred in a debate at ambassadorial level held this Friday to prepare for the meeting of the EU General Affairs Council to be held next Tuesday the 19th, and in which the ministers will discuss the Spanish proposal to incorporate Catalan. , Basque and Galician as official languages.
At the diplomatic meeting, a large majority of countries have expressed their support for multilingualism as a bridge to connect with citizens and have shown understanding of Spain's interests, but they have also raised many "doubts" regarding the impact of the measure both on the functioning of the EU and in the community coffers. Among the issues on which more information has been requested is what would be the estimated cost of adding these three co-official languages to the 24 already recognized in the EU or how it plans to cover the number of translators and interpreters that would be necessary.
The Spanish Government, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, included in the agenda of the meeting of European ministers on Tuesday the 19th an exchange of opinions to modify the regulation on official languages, with the intention that the matter would be submitted to the vote that same day.
For the Spanish proposal to go ahead, the support of all countries is needed, and the doubts raised at the diplomatic meeting this Friday predict difficulties in the face of unanimous endorsement. However, it is not ruled out that a consensus formula can be found that can be accepted by all.
For now, in today's ambassadors' meeting, Spain has been asked for an opinion from the Council's legal services and more time to study the economic and political impact of the recognition of Spanish co-official languages in the European Union.
Some diplomats consulted point out that it is difficult to share the "sense of urgency" that Spain conveys to its partners, and that they see it as premature to make a decision if issues about which the Spanish Government has not yet presented details have not been thoroughly examined.
Some delegations also have doubts about the legal fit in the Treaties, although Spain defends that the official status of Catalan, Basque and Galician is recognized by its Constitution, as well as the incorporation of these co-official languages in the Congress of Deputies.
