CATALONIA -- El Choque Dialéctico que tuve con Durao Barroso | @XSalaimartin Blog
El Choque Dialéctico que tuve con Durao Barroso | @XSalaimartin Blog
The journalist highlighted annually in the World, World Economic Forum Carlos Segovia, revealed in today's edition (02/02/2014), in a session that took place on January 23 in Davos, there was a dialectical clash between the president of the European Commission, the Portuguese Jose Manuel Barroso and myself. I
did not intend to make public the exchange, but since World has taken
the first step, let me share the details of what really happened why
which explains the world is not entirely complete and the words put in
my mouth They are not accurate.
The theme of the meeting was the "rebirth of Europe." The
idea was to discuss whether Europe was rising from the economic,
political, cultural or artistic ash and, if you are not doing what we
should do together to do it. Among the speakers there were political (as Barroso himself), entrepreneurs, artists, historians and economists (like me). As
president of the EU, Barroso made a very optimistic speech in which
he stressed the values of democracy and freedom in Europe. He also noted the great success it has shown an expanding EU,
"a year ago everyone thought that Europe would be smaller because there
would be countries like Greece that would come and change is bigger
because they have entered countries such as Croatia and others Serbia as
they are about to do. " He also noted the hope that the process of integration of Ukraine did not look broken by recent events in Kiev.
After Barroso touched me do the talking. Mainly I talked about the economic crisis and Europe's competitiveness. I had no plans to do so but, upon hearing the speech Barroso decided to add one final comment. I knew that Barroso was one of the few European leaders who said that if Catalunya had voted for independence from Spain, would automatically be outside the European Union and that seemed inconsistent with his speech about the success for Europe represented the incorporation of Serbia and Croatia.
And as it was in the cosmopolitan Davos where all ideas can be
discussed politely, I used the last part of my speech to ask a question
to the President of the EU. My actual words were:
"Mr
Barroso applaud and share his speech about the virtues of democracy in
Europe and understand that the successful kick breast enlargement
process to countries like Croatia and Serbia. It is very important that Europe is getting bigger, have more and more citizens are becoming more democratic. But one thing I do not understand. Croatia
and Serbia have achieved independence through bloody wars, with many
crimes against humanity that are being tried by the tribunal in The
Hague. As you know (because we know it), but I am in the U.S. delegation, I am from Barcelona. I
mention this detail because my fellow Catalans are calling for a
referendum to decide whether to allow them to remain in Spain or choose
to go another way. In
the midst of this process you, Mr Barroso said that if the Catalans
vote in favor of independence, will be automatically outside Europe. I have nothing against the people of the Balkans but I ask you:
Do you really democratic Europe of which you are so proud of is a
Europe that welcomes the incorporation of countries that achieved
independence through bloody wars but threatens expulsion paged through
the same vows? "This audience applauded.
Although it was not intended to reply, Barroso rose quickly and, very kindly, he replied:
"Dear Xavier, you know I love Catalunya and Catalan. And I think the Catalans also know it. All
I have said is that the EU is a union of states and who is part of the
treaty is the Spanish state as if Catalonia should become a state other
than Spain, could not automatically become part of the EU " . Moreover, he added, "most
international institutions like the United Nations, are also agreements
between states and, therefore, have the same problem."
The moderator gave me the right to reply and I returned the microphone:
"Mr. President, you're right: the EU is not the only international institution that has this problem. It is true that all countries that have achieved independence violently just part of the United Nations normally. But that should not be a source of pride but shame, not only for the EU but for all mankind. Is
not it time we, as free and democratic human beings begin to decline
borders drawn with blood and violence and accept those drawn with the
votes of citizens? I think so. Moreover, I think that as in so many occasions throughout history, this process should be led by Europe. That could be one of the foundations on which the new revival of Europe is founded "
And I added: "I said, it is true that the EU is a union of states but the treaties are not written in stone. Moreover, behind
these statements have been people and now there are 7 million European
citizens who have a maroon passport whose front cover are the words
European Union, and you threaten to expel. When these citizens
will ask you, Why European citizenship me away and give it to Serbs and
Croats ', you will have to answer them: is that ye were the audacity to vote and why the European treaties do not tolerate it!'? And when he does , how do you think the world will value the democratic values of the new Europe of which you are so proud? Is that the Europe that are making you reborn? Because if it is, the first thing he does not want me to be European. " Public saved an awkward silence until the moderator gave way to the next speaker.
At the end of the meeting, Barroso came to my table and sat down beside me. We talked for a while ... but this conversation is private and will not disclose its contents. Even if the World unveils first.
