Borrell tiptoes around Catalan issue in hearing to become EU’s top diplomat

Spain’s foreign affairs minister, Josep Borrell, has tiptoed around the Catalan issue in a hearing at the European Parliament for him to become the EU’s top diplomat.

"Considering the post I aspire to, I’m not going to comment on a country’s internal affairs, including mine," said Borrell, who faced MEPs’ questions in Brussels on Monday afternoon.

As a member of the Spanish government, Borrell has been a steadfast opponent of the Catalan independence movement, leading to a number of diplomatic rows with other European countries. 

Yet, he avoided commenting on the issue in his bid to become the EU’s new High Representative for Foreign Affairs.