Brussels, 24/09/2010 (Agence Europe) - This year, the events arranged in all of the Member States as part of the European Day of Languages will take place on and around 26 September and will particularly focus on the importance of languages to business. It is currently estimated that 11% of small and medium-sized enterprises lose contracts due to a lack of languages skills. This represents millions of euros and threatens jobs. “As well as being a practical asset for an individual's personal development, languages mean more business for companies, giving them a competitive edge and opening up export markets. Improving the overall level of language skills in Europe will also contribute to our EUROPE 2020 strategy for smart and inclusive growth and multilingualism is a crucial part of our flagship initiatives Youth on the Move and the Agenda for New Skills and Jobs”, said Androulla Vassiliou, the European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth. Ms Vassiliou gave a speech at the conference held in Brussels on “Languages for SMEs” and met representatives of European businesses which are particularly heavily involved in the use of languages within their structure. The European Commission's programme for life-long education and training invests 50 million euros every year in support of language activities and projects. The emphasis it lays on languages at the service of SMEs is a result, amongst other things, of the conclusions of a 2007 study on the impact on the European economy of the lack of language skills in businesses. The European Day of Languages was created in 2001 to celebrate this diversity and it highlights the importance of languages, both personally and professionally. With 23 official languages and more than 40 regional and minority languages, the EU makes up a unique multilingual community of countries and people. (I.L./trans.fl)