France has decided to put French at the heart of the institutional machinery during its six-month Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The aim is to promote, alongside English, the other working language within the EU Council. However, this approach appeals to certain stakeholders within national delegations, not always French-speaking, for reasons of efficiency in diplomatic and legislative work.
Following the example of the previous French Presidency in the second half of 2008 (Year of Intercultural Dialogue and Multilingualism - see EUROPE 9737/35), France would like to see legislative and negotiating work carried out in French in the EU Council over the next 6 months.
The documents discussed in the working group, such as those obtained by EUROPE (see EUROPE 12868/14), are thus entirely written in French. The same applies to meeting agendas, which are then translated, sometimes 2 days later.
As an even more binding practice, the Presidency holds its meetings in French, particularly at the preparatory level, such as in the Mertens and Antici groups, to prepare the meetings of the Member States’ ambassadors to the EU (Coreper I and II).
The problem is that while interpretation is systematic at Coreper level, it is not always the case at the preparatory groups level, three diplomatic sources confirmed to us, in this case at the Mertens and Antici groups level.
Preparation beforehand...
Of course, the French Presidency has made arrangements. There has been a “big effort” to strengthen the offer of French courses in Brussels beforehand, with “great success”, another diplomatic source assured us. 600 people would have been trained in Brussels, mostly in the permanent representations of the Member States.
“It is natural that the French Presidency expresses itself in French and issues notes in French, which is a working language”, the source added.
In addition, the six-month EU Council Presidency would ensure that everyone is “comfortable” with this linguistic approach, by submitting legislative texts and draft conclusions also in English.
Finally, apart from the legislative and negotiating texts, some particularly “sensitive or important” background notes would also be available in English, the same source assured. The framework notes, also in French, would be explained in groups where there is “usually” interpretation, added the source. Another interlocutor added that a great many diplomats understand French passively.
... with its limits and risks
Another diplomatic source confirmed that the French Presidency spoke slowly and clearly in French during the meetings so that everyone could understand. However, the source added that some diplomats and experts were going to cross-check their information with French-speaking national delegations to make sure they had understood correctly.
“Normally everything is translated, but this is not always the case”, the source added.
Another difficulty is that even when meetings are interpreted, there can be uncertainty about the quality of the interpretation (EUROPE has been a victim of this at times: see EUROPE 12616/31). However, while English interventions are understood by all, French is less so, verification and cross-checking of information is more laborious, we are told.
To compensate for possible misunderstandings, the French Presidency has so far organised a very large number of face-to-face meetings, which would pose a health risk due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to one source.
“We are sometimes crammed with 60 people in one room!”, the source complained that more face-to-face meetings mean more meeting rooms, which are also smaller. This information was confirmed by another source.
Thus, the approach of the French authorities raises the question of the effectiveness of the work, especially as the 6 months of the French Presidency will take place in parallel with the presidential elections in April and the legislative elections in June, even if the Permanent Representation of France to the EU will continue to benefit from its capacity to act.
Another diplomatic source noted, however, that working meetings in the run-up to the elections intensified sharply from March onwards, followed by a “sharp drop-off” in April. A Presidency working paper, seen by EUROPE, would seem to confirm such a situation.
The defence of the French language at European level is particularly important for Paris. The French General Secretariat for European Affairs (SGAE) has published a vade mecum on this subject.
Based on the European treaties, but also on the rules of procedure of the various European institutions, the document insists on the preference of French in all circumstances, whether in formal or informal meetings.
Moreover, the association Défense linguistique et de la langue française (DLF Bruxelles-Europe), which aims to defend the French language in Brussels and the European institutions and whose activities are currently dormant, could resume its work in 2022, in particular to promote inter-comprehension, a member confirmed to us.
To consult the French vade mecum: https://bit.ly/3KeHVtz (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)