” “"The diversity of languages is our common wealth, and the promotion of such diversity is a clear priority for the European Commission". The Executive of the Union is getting ready to welcome the two new member states, Romania and Bulgaria, not least in terms of translation and interpreting. From 1st January 2007, the official languages of the EU will rise from 20 to 23, with the addition of Rumanian and Bulgarian, as well as Gaelic (a language spoken in Ireland). "Next year explains Ján Fige¾, the current Commissioner for culture and multilingualism will be the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, but it will also be a celebration of multilingualism, which has been one of the key principles of the Union since its very foundation. Now the EU is about to have three more official languages, I would like to welcome my future colleague, Leonard Orban, who will be the Commissioner for multilingualism" from next January. (to be continued)” “
