Catalan Minister for Foreign Affairs defends Catalonia’s potential contribution to the EU

Barcelona (CNA).- The new Catalan Minister for Foreign Affairs, former MEP Raül Romeva, defended Catalonia’s role within the EU and emphasised its potential contribution to the European project. During his first public event at the head of the new Ministry, Romeva assured that there is no news regarding the Spanish government’s decision to take the new Ministry before the court (they claim that it violates some of the Spanish executive’s competences). He went on to highlight the importance of legality in the EU “but also democracy”. “When it is against its people, the State has a problem” stated Romeva. The Catalan Minister made these statements during the closing ceremony of the 25^th European Conference organised this Monday by the Parliament.

“What can Catalonia offer to the world?” he asked rhetorically “very easy: it has been, it is and it will continue to be a bridge between cultures, economies, histories, languages and all that means building from diversity”. According to Romeva, diversity and plurality are core values of the EU, even though there are “voices” which aim to “impose certain visions and discriminatory ideologies which deny diversity and plurality”. “This must worry, alert, and even scare us” he warned.

Pro-independence cross-party list ‘Junts Pel Sí’s top member also defended the legality of the Ministry he represents and emphasised the importance of the Catalan permanent delegation in Brussels. Romeva went on to highlight the importance of legality in the EU “but also democracy”. “When it is against its people, the State has a problem” he stated.

The Catalan Minister for Foreign Affairs refused to comment on the Spanish government’s decision to take the new Ministry before the court (the State Attorney believes that it violates some of the Spanish executive’s competences). “There is no news” he assured.