Since then, scarcely any progress has been made and there is a growing
need, I can assure you, to give to the cultural dimension of the process of
European integration the importance it deserves. I am among those who are
firmly in favour of doing so. I represent France, a country which is
conscious of the threats surrounding it in this context and which is well
acquainted with the rivalry of languages. When I think of other peoples,
however, which are equally deserving of respect, but whose languages are not
as geographically widespread as French, which in turn is not as
geographically widespread as some other languages, I wonder what will become
of the soul, the means of expression of, for instance, Gaelic, Flemish or
Dutch?
(Applause)
And, since I do not wish to appear to be referring only to the nations
which are the smallest or weakest, because they are the least populous - and
this is not a question of demography - I would say that in fact, if we
really think about it, Italy, Germany and France are also under threat.
Today, possibly only Anglo-American culture and Spanish culture are in a
position to face up to these challenges. And, notwithstanding my friendship
for those countries, I would rather speak my language than theirs.
(Applause)
. . . I would repeat that moving images are not, of course, the only area
in which the Europe of cultures is being built.
