Cyprus seeks recognition of Cypriot Maronite Arabic language after Armenian

The Republic of Cyprus has submitted a Declaration on the Recognition of the Cypriot Maronite Arabic Language on November 5, 2008.

According to an official announcement, Cyprus has adopted the Recommendation of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, dated on 27 September 2006.

The Declaration was made in recognition of the concept of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, and which the Republic of Cyprus has ratified.

The Cypriot Maronite Arabic Language is the second language the Republic of Cyprus sets for protection under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.

In ratifying the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, the Republic of Cyprus deposited on 26 August 2002, a declaration on the Recognition of the Armenian Language.

The decision for submission of a Declaration, adopted by the Council of Ministers, is accompanied by a decision for the establishment of a Committee of Experts, which will operate under the auspices of the Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture.

The Committee of Experts, which has already been activated, recommends specific actions aimed at protecting and promoting the Cypriot Maronite Arabic language.

Cyprus has two communities, the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot. Maronites, Armenians and Latins, living on the island, opted to belong to the Greek Cypriot community, when the country gained its independence from British colonial rule in 1960.