FUEN’s European Dialogue Forum engages in political talks in Brussels

On the occasion of the European Day of Languages 2025, the European Dialogue Forum (EDF) of FUEN met with representatives of key EU institutions in Brussels from 22 to 24 September. The agenda included talks with the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Committee of the Regions. The aim was to once again highlight the need for a coherent EU minority policy following the European Court of Justice’s dismissal of the appeal on the Minority SafePack Initiative (MSPI) in June this year.

In its meeting with the office of EU Commissioner for Equality, Hadja Lahbib, the EDF underlined that national minorities are still barely taken into account in EU equality policy. The delegation called for the development of a dedicated strategy for national minorities and language groups, as well as the establishment of permanent consultation mechanisms between the European Commission and minority organisations. It also renewed its criticism of the current geo-blocking rules, which continue to disadvantage speakers of minority languages in border regions when accessing media content. EDF Spokesperson Jens A. Christiansen stressed: “National minorities are not against Europe – they are Europe!”

At the meeting with the Intergroup on Traditional Minorities, National Communities and Languages in the European Parliament, the EDF presented its concerns as well. Discussions focused on the strategic direction for the coming years, further cooperation between FUEN and the Intergroup and key political priorities ahead. The EDF proposed a joint meeting in early 2026 to strengthen collaboration with national parliaments, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and EU institutions. Intergroup Chair Loránt Vincze, MEP and President of FUEN, said: “The Intergroup has established itself as an important platform in this legislative term, and its close relationship with FUEN will remain strong in the future.”

In its talks with the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), the EDF delegation highlighted the contribution of minorities to cross-border cooperation and presented the FUEN Forum of European Minority Regions as a key platform for exchange and networking. The EDF also called on the CoR to advocate for reform of the EU’s geo-blocking rules. The interlocutors, including Béatrice Taulegne, Director in the Secretariat-General of the CoR, expressed openness to closer cooperation and signalled support for further steps.

The EDF’s political meetings in Brussels were embedded in the activities surrounding the European Day of Languages 2025. On the evening of 23 September, FUEN hosted a reception at its Brussels office, bringing together representatives from politics and minority organisations as well as FUEN’s partners and friends (for more details, see here). On 24 September, the Minority Intergroup conference “Pillars of Diversity: Our Linguistic Heritage Shapes Europe” followed at the European Parliament, highlighting the value of Europe’s linguistic diversity (further information is available here). In addition, the EDF used the opportunity to distribute information materials on its work and FUEN’s activities in the European Parliament and to engage in direct exchange with MEPs, stakeholders and guests.

Background: European Day of Languages

The European Day of Languages is celebrated every year on 26 September. Initiated in 2001 by the Council of Europe and the European Union, it raises awareness of the importance of language learning, promotes Europe’s linguistic and cultural diversity and encourages lifelong language learning – whether at school, in the workplace or simply for personal interest. It addresses policymakers, educational institutions, civil society organisations and the wider public alike, raising awareness of Europe’s multilingualism.

In 2025, FUEN and its partner organisations marked the Day in Brussels with a high-level reception, a Minority Intergroup roundtable in the European Parliament, and several seminars on regional and minority languages. An overview of all events is available HERE.