National and ethnic minorities are an inseparable element of a united Europe and testify to its cultural richness and diversity. The European Union emphasizes the need to protect them and prevents discrimination based on ethnic origin. For various reasons, however, the activity
of EU institutions for these minorities, including above all legislation, is very limited. Against this background, the European Parliament stands out. This institution over the years has adopted many resolutions addressed to the European Union and the Member States in which it emphasizes the importance of national minorities for Europe and the need for more effective and more comprehensive protection of them within the EU framework. In its acts it sets the desired standards of protection, points out the rights which are necessary for representatives of minorities and calls for specific actions. Therefore, the European Parliament is becoming a proponent of national and ethnic minorities in the European Union.
