Today, September 26, is the European Day of Languages.

Proclaimed by the Council of Europe on December 6, 2001, the occasion is designed to draw attention to the linguistic and cultural diversity of the continent as well as to develop language teaching in the world.

In this difficult time for the world, when the Ukrainian language remains among the targets of russia in the war against Ukraine, and our citizens are victims of genocide, we need constant support from reliable partners - the language institutions of Europe. The occupation policy of linguocide by war criminals in certain territories of Ukraine is a violation of international law.

I would like to remind that on March 21, 2022, at the extraordinary meeting of the General Assembly of the European Federation of National Institutions for Language (EFNIL), Ukraine became an associate member. This is our confident step toward the standards of the European community, new opportunities for popularization and study of Ukrainian as the future language of the EU, as well as exchange of experience  and best language practices. Our participation in the October EFNIL gathering will be devoted to the issue of russia's violent policy of linguocide in Ukraine activated on February 24, 2022.

The struggle for the victory of Ukraine is impossible without the establishment and popularization of the Ukrainian language, culture and spirituality. The conscious transition of fellow citizens into Ukrainian, comprehensive popularization of the language and protection of citizens of Ukraine to receive information and services in the state language are the fundamental foundations of statehood.