EU would negotiate with an independent Catalonia to avoid “the collapse of the euro”, says Catalan diplomat
CNA
Prada (CNA).- The Secretary General of the Public
Diplomacy Council of Catalonia (Diplocat), Albert Royo, expects the
European Union and Spain to negotiate with Catalonia if pro-independence
groups win the election on the 27th of September and receive
a “democratic mandate” to create a new independent Catalan State.
During a conference at the Catalan Summer University in Prada, in French
Catalonia, Royo warned that “it’s in no one’s interest” for Catalonia
to be expelled from the EU if it ever becomes independent.
The Catalan diplomat emphasised that Catalonia represents 2.1% of
the European GDP, “more than Finland or Greece”, so its expulsion could
potentially lead to “the collapse of the euro”. That’s why, according to
Royo, “the most reasonable scenario” is a negotiation. “We are
realistic and we know that things won’t change overnight, we would need
some months to negotiate” after a hypothetical pro-independence victory
in September, said the Secretary General of the Diplocat.
Up until now, the Diplocat, a public-private partnership aimed at
fostering dialogue and relationships between Catalonia and the rest of
the world, has focused its activities on explaining the demand of the
vast majority of citizens in Catalonia to decide about their political
future. From the 27th of September onwards, and only if
pro-independence groups achieve a majority, the Diplocat will start a
round of contacts to help “implement the democratic mandate” of the
citizens and guarantee the continuity of Catalonia within the EU.
In fact, Royo said that Catalonia already has some “channels” to
maintain contacts with “the main governments” in the EU. The diplomat
admitted, however, that EU member states “don’t go into detail” when
discussing Catalonia, and won’t sit officially at any negotiation table
unless there is a “clear democratic mandate” in favour of independence.
The coalition ‘Together for Yes’ (Junts pel sí), which includes Catalan
President Artur Mas’ Liberal Party, the main left wing opposition party
ERC and members of the civil society, is running in the 27th
of September election with the aim of declaring independence. The group
would also receive support for this declaration from the alternative
left and radical pro-independence Party CUP.
According to Royo, despite the “negative and threatening messages”
from the Spanish government against independence, European member states
would be “pragmatic” in case of separation. He expects, in accordance
with many experts, a transition period of about two years during which
Catalonia would be governed by European law and all aspects of its
membership to the EU and the Eurozone would be negotiated.
During the conference, Royo also said that the Diplocat has invited a
group of international politicians to Catalonia in order to observe the
27-S election. An international mission already observed last year’s
participatory process, a non-binding, unofficial consultation on the 9th of November in which 1.8 million Catalans voted in favour of independence.
the European GDP, “more than Finland or Greece”, so its expulsion could
potentially lead to “the collapse of the euro”. That’s why, according to
Royo, “the most reasonable scenario” is a negotiation. “We are
realistic and we know that things won’t change overnight, we would need
some months to negotiate” after a hypothetical pro-independence victory
in September, said the Secretary General of the Diplocat.
Up until now, the Diplocat, a public-private partnership aimed at
fostering dialogue and relationships between Catalonia and the rest of
the world, has focused its activities on explaining the demand of the
vast majority of citizens in Catalonia to decide about their political
future. From the 27th of September onwards, and only if
pro-independence groups achieve a majority, the Diplocat will start a
round of contacts to help “implement the democratic mandate” of the
citizens and guarantee the continuity of Catalonia within the EU.
In fact, Royo said that Catalonia already has some “channels” to
maintain contacts with “the main governments” in the EU. The diplomat
admitted, however, that EU member states “don’t go into detail” when
discussing Catalonia, and won’t sit officially at any negotiation table
unless there is a “clear democratic mandate” in favour of independence.
The coalition ‘Together for Yes’ (Junts pel sí), which includes Catalan
President Artur Mas’ Liberal Party, the main left wing opposition party
ERC and members of the civil society, is running in the 27th
of September election with the aim of declaring independence. The group
would also receive support for this declaration from the alternative
left and radical pro-independence Party CUP.
According to Royo, despite the “negative and threatening messages”
from the Spanish government against independence, European member states
would be “pragmatic” in case of separation. He expects, in accordance
with many experts, a transition period of about two years during which
Catalonia would be governed by European law and all aspects of its
membership to the EU and the Eurozone would be negotiated.
During the conference, Royo also said that the Diplocat has invited a
group of international politicians to Catalonia in order to observe the
27-S election. An international mission already observed last year’s
participatory process, a non-binding, unofficial consultation on the 9th of November in which 1.8 million Catalans voted in favour of independence.
More on
27 September, 27-S, Albert Royo, Catalan Government, Catalan Independence, Diplocat, Diplomacy, Euro, European Union, Eurozone, Spanish Government
A Catalan independence flag next to a European Union one, in the last massive demonstration for independence (by A. Moldes)
