Print Magazine
Brussels Morning Newspaper
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
    • About Us
  • EU institutions
    • Commission
    • Parliament
    • Council
  • Europe
  • World
  • Economy
  • Culture and Society
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • The American Angle
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Southeast Europe
Brussels Morning Newspaper
  • Home
    • About Us
  • EU institutions
    • Commission
    • Parliament
    • Council
  • Europe
  • World
  • Economy
  • Culture and Society
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • The American Angle
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Southeast Europe
Brussels Morning Newspaper
No Result
View All Result
Home Europe

Catalan government stands by bilateral talks with Spanish executive

Tom Canetti by Tom Canetti
1 October 2021
in Europe
Catalan government stands by bilateral talks with Spanish executive
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

(Brussels Morning) The President of the Generalitat or Catalan government, Pere Aragonès, has stressed anew the importance of bilateral talks or dialogue with Madrid as the only way to achieve his two principal objectives: amnesty and another referendum. 

At a press conference marking the fourth anniversary of the controversial 1 October, 2017, referendum, Aragonès reaffirmed his deliberative approach to negotiating with Spain on the Catalan process, stating that he remains determined to provide another independence referendum for Catalonia and amnesty, rather than pardons, for the ex-Catalan leaders. He avoided offering a date for the next referendum, saying that “the conditions are more important”.

Asked whether the political conflict around the Catalan process—especially given the internationally reported arrest of exiled former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont in Italy—was causing apprehension among foreign investors about the region, Aragonès emphasised Catalonia’s attractiveness for foreign partners, regardless of domestic political feuds. 

“We are working with European funds on several projects. We have secured 27 projects related to the automotive industry, food industry, and the energy sector, including the semiconductor industry and green infrastructure.”

Still no freight railway

Aragonès was joined by Catalonia’s minister for Foreign Action, Victòria Alsina. Alsina, who recently met with officials from the port of Barcelona. The port offers a potential boost to trade with Europe since, ten years on, Catalonia still awaits a planned freight railway line that has yet to materialize because of political tensions with Madrid. 

The lack of railway infrastructure means that thousands of trucks clog the region’s roads and are a major cause of pollution, a drawback to Catalonia’s 2030 agenda of achieving vital Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Alsina endorsed Aragonès’ deliberative approach to the Catalan process: “In terms of what we want in some sectors, we have the bilateral table to have a conversation about the next moves”, she said. “We will continue to move any project which is good for Catalonia and for civil society,” she concluded.

Four years ago, on 1 October, Catalonia held an independence referendum which was ruled unconstitutional and illegal by Spain’s central executive and judiciary. Police despatched to the region to physically stop citizens from voting were cited for using excessive force in doing so. Their actions were widely condemned and served to fuel further cries for independence.

In 2019, nine Catalan political and social leaders were sentenced to between 9-13 years in prison for their involvement in the referendum and for what the Supreme Court claimed was mismanagement of funds and sedition. Carles Puigdemont, president of the Generalitat at the time of the referendum, fled Catalonia and has been living in exile in Belgium since. 

The current president, from the Republican Left Party (ERC), champions a “dialogue approach” towards the Catalan process, whereas the other half of the ruling coalition, Junts, the party of Puigdemont, takes a more unilateral approach in addressing the conflict with the Spanish government. 

Given what some perceive to be the tense political situation in Catalonia — the arrest of the former leader coupled with the anniversary of the violent events associated with the referendum of 2017 — concerns have been expressed about possible disturbances in the region over the weekend.

Tags: Europe-FeatureMain-Slider

Latest post

Capaci,,Italy,-3,July,2016,-,The,Memorial,Monument,On

Mafia: from attacks to business

5 hours ago
Athens

What Are 10 Best Budget Hotels In Athens?

5 hours ago

Most Read

  • shutterstock_1821616664

    MEPs send Open Letter urging the Home Secretary Priti Patel to reject Assange’s extradition

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • These are the 10 highest paying jobs in the Europe in 2022

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Why corruption matters

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Brussels residents want to set up school for Ukrainian children

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Sweden: Taking Syrian children away from parents for protection?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Facebook Twitter Youtube LinkedIn

About Us

Brussels Morning is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.

Category

  • Ambassador’s Corner
  • Belgium News
  • Brussels
  • Commission
  • Council
  • Culture and Society
  • Diplomacy
  • Economy
  • EU Institutions
  • Europe
  • Europe With Transparency
  • Features
  • In Depth
  • Member States
  • Middle East Eye
  • Opinion
  • Our pick
  • Parliament
  • Place de la Bourse
  • Southeast Europe
  • Sustainable Perspective
  • The American Angle
  • The Macro-Economist
  • Uncategorised
  • US Elections
  • World

More info

  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Cookies Policy
  • Contact Us
  • FAQ
  • Jobs

Brussels Morning Newspaper - All Rights Reserved © 2020

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
  • EU Institutions
    • Parliament
    • Commission
    • Council
  • Europe
  • World
  • Member States
  • Economy
  • Culture and Society
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • The American Angle
    • Southeast Europe
  • Print Magazine

Brussels Morning Newspaper - All Rights Reserved © 2020

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT