Scotland has moved closer to Europe with a formal agreement on the use of the Gaelic language at EU level.
There are no plans for it to become Europe's 24th "official" language, but from now on Scottish Gaelic speakers can write directly to EU bodies in their mother tongue and receive a reply in that language.
Scottish Ministers can also speak Scottish Gaelic in meetings with other EU ministers and regional representatives.
The deal was sealed in a Memorandum of Understanding signed in Brussels by the UK's EU ambassador, Sir Kim Darroch, and by Donald Henderson, Scotland's EU director.
The memorandum establishes the technical arrangements to allow Scottish Gaelic to be used within EU institutions.
Culture Minister Michael Russell, said co-operation between the Edinburgh and London governments had helped achieve progress on making the use of Gaelic in Europe a possibility.
He said: "I am very pleased that the Scottish Government's strong advocacy for Gaelic has finally paid off.
"I commend and am grateful for the level of co-operation that has been achieved between the two governments on this matter and welcome the progress made on making the use of Gaelic in Europe a possibility.
"This is a significant step forward for the recognition of Gaelic both at home and abroad and I look forward to addressing the Council (of EU ministers) in Gaelic very soon.
"It is particularly fitting that the news comes a few days before the beginning of the Royal National Mod 2009, Scotland's annual celebration of the Gaelic language and culture, which forms an international showcase for our shared heritage.
"Allowing Gaelic speakers to communicate with European institutions in their mother tongue is a progressive step forward and one which should be welcomed."
Under the new arrangement, interpretation will be provided only from Scots Gaelic into English, and not from English into Welsh - and the cost of providing interpretation and translation must be borne by the devolved Scottish administration.
The EU has 23 "working" languages, into which all EU documents and debates are translated and interpreted.
But pressure has been growing for at least partial recognition for other languages in Europe and ministers agreed in principle nearly four years ago on the limited use of languages in addition to the official working languages, including languages which have legal recognition within the UK's constitutional system - Welsh, Scottish Gaelic and Ulster Scots.
"This is a significant step forward for the recognition of Gaelic both at home and abroad and I look forward to addressing the Council (of EU ministers) in Gaelic very soon.
"Seeing Gaelic spoken in such a forum raises the profile of the language as we drive forward our commitment to creating a new generation of Gaelic speakers in Scotland."
Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy said: "This move is a strong sign of the UK Government's support for Scottish Gaelic and its ongoing relevancy in the modern world."Seeing Gaelic spoken in such a forum raises the profile of the language as we drive forward our commitment to creating a new generation of Gaelic speakers in Scotland."
Sir Kim said: "These arrangements will help to build a closer link between EU institutions and speakers of Scottish Gaelic by allowing them to raise their concerns and and have them addressed directly in their native language.
"We are continuing our efforts to support the use of the UK's regional languages with other EU institutions. We hope to conclude arrangements with the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the EU Ombudsman very soon."
