Meeting for potential translators

European institutions have a legal and political commitment to multilingualism. It has always been of vital importance that language should not be a barrier to EU citizens and their representatives at all levels in their dealings with EU institutions.

To preserve this important principle after the next - and biggest - enlargement, the EU institutions are actively engaged in finding translators and interpreters in the languages of the candidate countries, including Maltese.

Although the different institutions are independent of each other and have different needs in the linguistic field, recruitment efforts will be conducted jointly among them.

The European Parliament, also on behalf of the European Commission, the European Court of Auditors, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions and the Translation Centre for the bodies of the European Union, is launching a call for tender to conclude framework contracts for the provision of translation services into Maltese.

Contracts for the provision of translation services are awarded exclusively by public calls for tender. Both individuals and organisations are eligible to apply. Translators may work only into their mother tongue and the minimum level of qualification considered acceptable is successful completion of university level studies in any discipline. Finally, competitions to recruit staff translators and interpreters will be launched during this year.

A conference will be held at the Aula Magna of the old University Building, St Paul Street, Valletta, on Friday at 4 p.m. to acquaint the Maltese with the European Parliament's requirements for translators working from their own country, and the way the system operates. Senior officials from the Translation Division of the European Parliament will address the meeting and answer questions.

This meeting is open to persons who feel they can offer their services as Malta-based translators. Interested persons should possess a University degree and be able to demonstrate a very good command of at least one of the following EU languages: German, English or French.