Strasbourg, 17/12/2001 (Agence Europe) - Adopting a joint resolution by five political groups on linguistic diversity after the emergency debate (EPP-ED, PES, ELDR, Greens/EFA and GUE/NGL) the European Parliament called on the Commission to put forward measures for promoting linguistic diversity and the learning of foreign languages. They also called on the Commission to extend the activities carried out during the European Language Year (2001) by presenting before the end of 2003 a multiannual language programme including funding for regional and lesser known languages. Parliament also called on those Member States that have not yet ratified the European Charter of Regional and Minority Languages to do so.