The German authorities have once again emphasized that their stance on expanding the list of official EU languages remains unchanged. This statement comes amid news of upcoming talks between Berlin and Madrid, initiated by the Spanish side. Spain is pushing for its regional languages—Catalan, Basque, Galician, and Valencian—to be recognized at the EU level.
On Friday, representatives from both countries confirmed their intention to begin bilateral consultations. The Spanish government is preparing a special document, which will be presented for discussion and further review by all EU member states at the upcoming General Affairs Council meeting. Their joint statement highlights that linguistic diversity is an important part of Spain’s national identity.
Nevertheless, Germany is in no hurry to support Madrid’s initiative. Berlin believes that adding new languages to the official list would require amending European treaties, a complex and lengthy process. Germany’s position has repeatedly been a topic of discussion among European politicians, as language issues in the EU traditionally spark debate and require full consensus among member states.
In Spain, in addition to Spanish (Castilian), several autonomous regions have their own official languages. Catalan, Basque, Galician, and Valencian are recognized at the regional level, and supporting them remains one of the central government’s priorities. However, despite Madrid’s ongoing efforts to push the issue in Brussels, gaining broader recognition at the pan-European level has not yet been achieved.
It remains unclear whether this new round of negotiations will lead to changes in the positions of key EU countries. Germany continues to take a cautious stance, emphasizing the need for broad discussion and consensus among all member states. Talks are expected to continue in the coming months, but experts do not anticipate quick resolutions on such a sensitive issue.
