Brussels' main think-tank CEPS recommends that Spain and Catalonia name "an external mediator"

Brussels (ACN).- The Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), which is the most influential think-tank based in Brussels and specialised in European Affairs, proposed that Catalonia and Spain should agree to name “an external mediator or conciliator” to solve their dispute. In an interview with ACN, the CEPS Head of the EU Foreign Policy Unit, Steven Blockmans argued that “the European Union or the United Nations could play this role”. However, he warned that “both parties, including Madrid, should voluntarily accept it” prior to choosing. In addition, the CEPS expert also stated that if Madrid agrees, “a summit would be enough” to take “the political decision” to allow an independent Catalonia to become an EU Member State. Besides, the CEPS Senior Researcher explained that Catalonia’s and Scotland’s self-determination processes and the possibility that they become independent states “are being debated” in Brussels circles, and they are even mentioned “often”. Despite this fact, Blockmans also stated that “the European Commission will not officially recognise that it is preparing itself” for such a scenario. In fact, the European Commission is currently avoiding all questions related to Catalonia’s self-determination process, officially stating that it is Spain’s internal matter.

In the last few years, but in particular since last September, Catalonia’s independence from Spain is a political option backed by a greater number of Catalan citizens. On the last Catalan National Day, 1.5 million citizens peacefully demonstrated throughout Barcelona’s downtown supporting an independent Catalan state within the European Union. Furthermore, recent opinion polls and the last electoral results show that around 80% of Catalan citizens back the call for a self-determination referendum and around 50% of the population would vote “yes” to independence from Spain. Despite these claims, the Spanish Government has chosen to totally oppose any democratic vote on the issue and it is trying to stop Catalonia’s self-determination process.

Shedding some light on the current situation, Steven Blockmans recommends that the Catalan Government “ should at least convince [the Spanish Government] to invite the European Union to act as a mediator” and this way try to overcome “a political blocking” if it is convinced that it is “impossible to negotiate” with the Spanish Executive on the organisation of a self-determination vote for Catalonia,.

If Madrid agrees, “a summit would be enough” for Catalonia to become an EU Member State

This expert in EU Foreign Policy, including External Action, Enlargement, Neighbouring, Security and Trade policies, affirmed that, if Madrid agreed to it, “the exit and re-entry” of an independent Catalonia into the European Union might be done “via a fast track”, through “a simple meeting”. According to Blockmans, in the scenario of a negotiated independence with Madrid’s agreement, “a summit would be enough” to take “the political decision” to allow an independent Catalonia to become an EU Member State.

According to “international law”, “secession is illegal if there is not an agreement between both parties”

“Logically, Catalonia already meets all the requirements to be part of the European Union: for human rights, fundamental freedoms, the rule of law” and it also has “the entire acquis communautaire”, which means it has already adapted its legislation to all the EU legislation and rules, explained Blockmans. However, this Professor of EU External Relations Law and Governance at the University of Amsterdam and visiting professor at the University of Leuven, also warned that without a green light from the Spanish Government, Madrid could veto a Catalan state in the EU. He explained that the European legislation “says nothing about the secession of a part of a Member State”, but “in international law, the basic rule is that secession is illegal if there is not an agreement between both parties”, warned Blockmans. “Obviously, this would have a very high cost for Catalans and businesses: borders would be in place again and the free circulation of people, goods and capital would be stopped”, the CEPS Senior Researcher cautioned.

“A transition agreement” should be negotiated

However, Blockmans admitted that this last possibility “would be unacceptable” and he foresaw that Catalonia and Spain negotiate “a transition agreement” in order to guarantee that Catalans do not lose all their rights they now have as European citizens. “However, if there is the political veto of a single Member State, since unanimity is required, this transition agreement would not be adopted”, he underlined.

To sum up, the CEPS Head of the EU Foreign Policy Unit insisted that “the European Union has reasons to avoid the situation” of having an independent Catalonia which is not an EU Member State. However, he warned that “the main interested party is Catalonia”. Therefore, he advised the Catalan Government to think about “an external mediator or conciliator” if the Spanish Government blocks the self-determination process.

The CEPS, the main think-tank in European Affairs

Founded in 1983, the Centre for European Policy Studies is the most influential think-tank in Brussels, as many experts on European politics agree. The CEPS also defines itself as “the leading debate forum in European Affairs”. Directed by the German economist Daniel Gros, it has an annual budget of €6.7 million. Around 30 researchers work in the centre, from 21 different countries.