(BRUSSELS) - The Welsh language, spoken by 600,000 people, got a cultural boost on Thursday when it was heard, and interpreted, at the European Union for the first time.

Bringing one of Europe's oldest language to Brussel was Welsh Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones, who represented Britain at a meeting of European culture ministers.

"Efallai mai'r Gymraeg yw un o'r ieithoedd hynaf sy'n cael ei defnyddio yn y DU, ond mae'n parhau'n un o'r rhai mwyaf bywiog," he told them.

"Welsh might be one of the oldest languages to be used in the United Kingdom, but it remains one of the most vibrant," a Welsh interpreter repeated.

"This is a major landmark for the Welsh language and recognises its position as a modern language through which government business may be conducted," Jones said, as Welsh became recognised as a "co-official", or minority tongue.

The Welsh minister's comments were interpreted from Welsh into English and then into the EU's other 22 official languages, which include the latest addition, Irish.

The new arrangements will also allow Welsh speakers to write to the European Council, and receive a written response, in Welsh.

Education, Youth, Culture and Audiovisual Council

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