Source: European Parliament
Priority question for written answer P-001600/2025/rev.1
to the Commission
Rule 144
Şerban Dimitrie Sturdza (ECR)
Ukraine, as an EU candidate country, has committed to reforms in the field of minority rights. However, the Romanian community in the Odesa region (124 475 people according to the 2001 census) is facing violations of the right to education in their mother tongue due to the unjustified use of the term ‘Moldovan language’ instead of ‘Romanian language’ in schools – a practice inherited from the Soviet era.
Although the Government of Ukraine adopted a decision on 18 October 2023 (minutes no. 115), and the Ministry of Education and Science issued a statement on 16 November 2023, to correct this terminology, 10 schools in the Odesa region (subject to administrative litigation no. 640/8013/21 since 2021) are still required to use the incorrect term. This administrative and legal deadlock undermines trust in Ukraine’s accession process and contradicts EU standards regarding the protection of minorities.
What measures will the Commission take to support the correct implementation of the Ukrainian Government’s decisions regarding the official recognition of the Romanian language in schools in the Odesa region?
Submitted: 22.4.2025