French is not at the party today...
(BRUSSELS2) While the International Francophonie Day is celebrated today (March 20) in several countries around the world, the use of French is becoming residual in the foreign policy of the European Union. This is evidenced by the official declarations published regularly. This deficit has become glaring since the arrival of Cathy Ashton as High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs.
Most of the declarations from the European Union that I receive are now available in only one language: English. So much so that part of my job now consists of translation! And, if a French translation exists, it often arrives after a delay exceeding several hours or even a few days,... when it arrives.
A practice at odds with customs... and the law
This practice is surprising in an international organization. At the UN, as at NATO, for example, there are at least two working languages. This practice is also in "delicacy" with the Treaty.
A declaration (n°29) appended to the Maastricht Treaty of European Union provides as follows: "For COREU communications, the current practice of European political cooperation will serve as a model for the time being.". Explanation: "COREU" communications are those exchanged between ambassadors of the European Union (a declaration by the European Union or the High Representative is normally the subject of a COREU telegram); when we speak of "practice ", we are referring to a systematic translation into two languages (English, French). In other words, this paragraph prescribes French and English as working languages until further notice.
This statement also states:All texts relating to the common foreign and security policy which are presented or adopted at meetings of the European Council or of the Council, as well as all texts to be published, are translated immediately and simultaneously into all the official languages of the Community.." For items that I know of, this layout is not often enforced.
A Chief Diplomat still just as monolingual
Lady Ashton had promised when she arrived to learn French. She still barely stammers it. And understand it even less. Which is quite extraordinary for a "chief diplomat". However, we will not hold it against him. Our language is very complex. And the Baroness has little free time. On the other hand, it is not normal to have diplomatic texts in a single language.
It is not only a question of defending an acquired position. It is also a question of legitimacy in part of the world, particularly in French-speaking Africa. It is finally a security of comprehension. Having two languages makes it possible to grasp the subtleties or the exact contours of a political statement.
Read also: French, “dead language” of the ESDP?
