European Free Alliance criticises Spain’s decision to suspend the Catalan Ministry for Foreign Affairs
CNA
Brussels (CNA).- Politicians from the European Free
Alliance (EFA), the group in the European Parliament which gathers
together Catalan left-wing pro-independence ERC and other nationalist
parties of the EU, have strongly criticised the suspension of the
Catalan Ministry for Foreign Affairs. In a press communiqué titled
‘Spain’s attack on Catalan democracy’ the EFA’s President, François
Alfonsi, lamented the “disturbing anti-democratic trend in Spain that runs contrary to European values” and emphasised that "Catalans democratically elected their government”. In
the same vein, the President of EFA’s Euro parliamentary group, Catalan
MEP Josep Maria Terricabras, noted that “the office of Foreign Minister
is recognised in law and in Catalonia's statute of autonomy” and
therefore, the suspension by the Spanish Constitutional Court “is a
direct attack on Catalan democracy”.
“We are witnessing a disturbing anti-democratic trend in Spain that
runs contrary to European values” warned EFA’s President, François
Alfonsi. He made this statement in relation to the Spanish
Constitutional Court’s decision to suspend the Catalan Ministry for
Foreign Affairs, at least for five months, after considering it against
the Spanish Constitution and exceeding the competences established in
the Catalan Statute of Autonomy. In line with the Catalan Minister for
Foreign Affairs, pro-independence cross-party list ‘Junts Pel Sí’ leader
and former MEP Raül Romeva, Terricabras noted that “the office of
Foreign Minister is recognised in law and in Catalonia's statute of
autonomy” and therefore, the suspension by the Spanish Constitutional
Court “is a direct attack on Catalan democracy”.
“Catalans democratically elected their government and it is not
acceptable for Spain to try and undermine that democracy” stated
Alfonsi. “Spain must be reminded of its obligations as a European Union
member, particularly in respect of the Copenhagen criteria, which
demands respect for democratic governance and human rights” warned
Terricabras.
Catalonia “will continue to do foreign action”
Responding to the Constituional Court’s announcement, Catalan
President Carles Puigdemont assured that Catalonia “has done, does, and
will continue to do foreign action” and expressed his committment to
Raül Romeva, who “will continue to be Minister”. For his part, Romeva
assured that “what we are doing is absolutely within the Constitution
and the Statute of Autonomy” and “we have a legitimate democratic
mandate to do all this that we must do and need to do as a country”.
runs contrary to European values” warned EFA’s President, François
Alfonsi. He made this statement in relation to the Spanish
Constitutional Court’s decision to suspend the Catalan Ministry for
Foreign Affairs, at least for five months, after considering it against
the Spanish Constitution and exceeding the competences established in
the Catalan Statute of Autonomy. In line with the Catalan Minister for
Foreign Affairs, pro-independence cross-party list ‘Junts Pel Sí’ leader
and former MEP Raül Romeva, Terricabras noted that “the office of
Foreign Minister is recognised in law and in Catalonia's statute of
autonomy” and therefore, the suspension by the Spanish Constitutional
Court “is a direct attack on Catalan democracy”.
“Catalans democratically elected their government and it is not
acceptable for Spain to try and undermine that democracy” stated
Alfonsi. “Spain must be reminded of its obligations as a European Union
member, particularly in respect of the Copenhagen criteria, which
demands respect for democratic governance and human rights” warned
Terricabras.
Catalonia “will continue to do foreign action”
Responding to the Constituional Court’s announcement, Catalan
President Carles Puigdemont assured that Catalonia “has done, does, and
will continue to do foreign action” and expressed his committment to
Raül Romeva, who “will continue to be Minister”. For his part, Romeva
assured that “what we are doing is absolutely within the Constitution
and the Statute of Autonomy” and “we have a legitimate democratic
mandate to do all this that we must do and need to do as a country”.
More on
Catalan Minister for Foreign Affairs, Catalan Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Democracy, EFA, EFA’s President, European Free Alliance, European Parliament, François Alfonsi, Josep Maria Terricabras, Raül Romeva
Image of the European Parliament (by ACN)
