Decision 1989/489 - 89/489/EEC: Council Decision of 28 July 1989 establishing an action programme to promote foreign language competence in the EC (Lingua) - Main contents

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89/489/EEC: Council Decision of 28 July 1989 establishing an action programme to promote foreign language competence in the European Community (Lingua)

Official Journal L 239 , 16/08/1989 P. 0024 - 0032

COUNCIL DECISION of 28 July 1989 establishing an action programme to promote foreign language competence in the European Community (Lingua) (89/489/EEC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Articles 128 and 235 thereof,

Having regard to Council Decision 63/266/EEC of 2 April 1963 laying down general principles for implementing a common vocational training policy (1), and in particular the seventh principle thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (2),

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (3),

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (4),

Whereas the seventh principle of Decision 63/266/EEC provides that the suitable training of teachers and instructors, whose numbers should be increased and whose technical and teaching skills should be developed, shall be one of the basic factors of any effective vocational training policy; and whereas its 10th principle provides that special measures may be taken in respect of special problems concerning specific sectors of activity or specific categories of persons;

Whereas the Treaty provides in Article 52 for the aboliton of restrictions on the freedom of establishment, and in Article 59 for the abolition of restrictions on the freedom to provide services;

Whereas the Treaty provides in Article 48 for the securement of freedom of movement of workers and requires the Council to adopt the measures necessary for its securement; whereas an increase in the capacity to communicate in foreign languages will further facilitate the achievement of these objectives;

Whereas Council Regulation (EEC) No 1612/68 of 15 October 1968 on freedom of movement of workers within the Community (5), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 312/76 (6), has provided for workers and the employed persons who exercise the right of free movement to another Member State to be accompanied by their dependent family;

Whereas the European Council has, in the Solemn Declaration on European Union adopted at its meeting in Stuttgart on 19 June 1983, and at its meeting at Fontainebleau on 23 and 24 June 1984 and Milan on 28 and 29 June 1985, where it adopted the Adonnino report on measures required to achieve a ´Peoples' Europe', stressed the importance which must be attached to foreign language teaching and learning within the Community;

Whereas the Council and Ministers of Education meeting within the Council, in adopting on 9 February 1976 a resolution (7) comprising an action programme in the field of education, selected the teaching of foreign languages as an appropriate area for Community activity and whereas they adopted conclusions on this subject at their meeting on 4 June 1984;

Whereas the establishment of the internal market should be facilitated by the quantitative and qualitative improvement of foreign language teaching and learning within the Community to enable the Community's citizens to communicate with each other and to overcome linguistic difficulties which impede the free movement of persons, goods, services and capital;

Whereas greater foreign language competence will enable the Community's citizens to reap the benefits of completion of the internal market and will enhance understanding and solidarity between the peoples which go to make up the Community, while preserving the linguistic diversity and cultural wealth of Europe;

Whereas, in promoting the diversification of the teaching and learning of foreign languages within the framework of the implementation of the Lingua programme, consideration will also be given to the role of the different languages of the Community in the...

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