Learning languages

In 1995, the European Commission proposed that, in the long run, all European citizens should learn to speak two EU languages, in addition to their mother tongue. In 1999, the European Commission as well as the Council of Europe (bringing together 41 countries) declared the 2001 to be the European Year of Languages. Both initiatives would be coordinated, aiming at the general public, specifically at the unemployed, those living in areas where languages overlap, and language teachers. The Commission proposed a total budget of 8 million euro.