Catalan Foreign Affairs Secretary appears before Uruguayan Parliament amid “pressure” from Spain
CNA
Barcelona (CNA).- The Catalan Foreign Affairs Secretary,
Roger Albinyana, has appeared before the Uruguayan Parliament to explain
the independence process in Catalonia. At the request of Uruguayan
members of parliament, Albinyana explained the causes, the consequences
and the calendar behind the 27th of September election to the Parliamentary Commission of International Affairs of the Latin American country. Albinyana
was however “surprised” to hear from Uruguayan members of parliament
that the Spanish Embassy in the Latin American country had tried to
cancel the event.
Following the allegations, the spokesperson for Liberal CDC in the
Spanish Senate, Josep-Lluís Cleries, urged Spanish Foreign Affairs
Minister José Manuel García-Margallo to clarify whether his embassy in
Montevideo had tried to cancel the appearance. “It is urgent for the
Minister to appear before the Senate and give explanations”, said
Cleries on Thursday. According to him, “the accusation of alleged
pressure is so serious that we have to demand political
responsibilities”.
It’s the third time this year that a foreign country has convened a
debate about the Catalan independence process. In May, the Danish
Parliament passed by 64 votes in favour, none against and 41 abstentions
a motion urging dialogue between Catalonia and Spain. In July,
Catalonia was one of the topics on the agenda of the Oireachtas, the
Irish Parliament, in a session that also included the appearance of
Albinyana and Royo.
In Uruguay, Roger Albinyana said that the 27th of
September poll is seen as a ‘de facto’ plebiscite on independence for
Catalonia, especially since the Spanish government systematically
refuses to agree on a legal binding referendum such as the one which
took place in Scotland in 2014. During his more than an hour-long
appearance, Albinyana defended the right of Catalans to democratically
decide their own future.
The Secretary General of the Public Diplomacy Council of Catalonia
(DIPLOCAT) also appeared before the Commission. Albert Royo told
Uruguayan MPs that on the 11th of September millions of
Catalans are expected to once again take to the streets to peacefully
defend their right to independence. During his appearance, Royo also
explained the most important events of the last years that have led to
the current situation.
After their appearance before the Commission, Albinayana and Royo met
in private with the President of the Uruguayan Parliament, Alejandro
Sánchez. According to the Catalan government, Mr Sánchez was also
interested in discussing the political process in Catalonia. Both
Albinyana and Royo also travelled to Argentina, where they had meetings
with politicians, social groups and representatives of the media.
Spanish Senate, Josep-Lluís Cleries, urged Spanish Foreign Affairs
Minister José Manuel García-Margallo to clarify whether his embassy in
Montevideo had tried to cancel the appearance. “It is urgent for the
Minister to appear before the Senate and give explanations”, said
Cleries on Thursday. According to him, “the accusation of alleged
pressure is so serious that we have to demand political
responsibilities”.
It’s the third time this year that a foreign country has convened a
debate about the Catalan independence process. In May, the Danish
Parliament passed by 64 votes in favour, none against and 41 abstentions
a motion urging dialogue between Catalonia and Spain. In July,
Catalonia was one of the topics on the agenda of the Oireachtas, the
Irish Parliament, in a session that also included the appearance of
Albinyana and Royo.
In Uruguay, Roger Albinyana said that the 27th of
September poll is seen as a ‘de facto’ plebiscite on independence for
Catalonia, especially since the Spanish government systematically
refuses to agree on a legal binding referendum such as the one which
took place in Scotland in 2014. During his more than an hour-long
appearance, Albinyana defended the right of Catalans to democratically
decide their own future.
The Secretary General of the Public Diplomacy Council of Catalonia
(DIPLOCAT) also appeared before the Commission. Albert Royo told
Uruguayan MPs that on the 11th of September millions of
Catalans are expected to once again take to the streets to peacefully
defend their right to independence. During his appearance, Royo also
explained the most important events of the last years that have led to
the current situation.
After their appearance before the Commission, Albinayana and Royo met
in private with the President of the Uruguayan Parliament, Alejandro
Sánchez. According to the Catalan government, Mr Sánchez was also
interested in discussing the political process in Catalonia. Both
Albinyana and Royo also travelled to Argentina, where they had meetings
with politicians, social groups and representatives of the media.
More on
Albert Royo, Catalan Government, Catalan Independence, DIPLOCAT, Foreign Affairs, Margallo, Roger Albinyana, Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister, Spanish Government, Uruguay, Uruguayan Parliament
The Catalan Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Roger Albinyana (by ACN)
