Danish parliament’s call for dialogue over Catalan referendum 'unsuccessful'

The Danish Parliament passed a resolution in 2015 urging Catalonia and Spain to establish a "peaceful and democratic dialogue" on "the issue of Catalonia's independence" in order to reach an agreement. Two years later, and only a month before Catalonia is to hold a self-determination referendum fiercely opposed by Spain, Catalan president Carles Puigdemont admitted to eight political groups in the Folketing that their "shared demand" to seek dialogue has been "unsuccessful". The Spanish government has repeatedly refused to negotiate the possibility of a referendum with the Catalan executive, arguing that it is completely illegal under the Spanish constitution. Yet, Barcelona is planning to go ahead with the vote anyway.

On his official visit to Denmark, Puigdemont met representatives from the Social Democratic Party, the Danish People's Party, the Socialist People's Party, the Liberal Party, the Red-Green Alliance, the Liberal Alliance, the left-wing The Alternative and the Radical Left. "They represent two-thirds of the parliamentary groups," Puigdemont said in comments to the press after the meeting.

The Catalan president explained that the questions posed to him by members of the Danish parliament showed an "understanding and interest in the situation in Catalonia." "Our idea to expand the knowledge about what is going on in Catalonia is producing good results," added Puigdemont. The head of the government also pointed out that it was interesting to discuss the political situation in Catalonia with "deputies from an exemplary country, a source of inspiration for good democratic practices."

Puigdemont was in Denmark on Wednesday and Thursday to inaugurate the new delegation in the Nordic Countries, on a trip in which he was joined by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Raül Romeva and the new delegate in Copenhagen, Francesca Guardiola. The aim of the new office is to foster bilateral relations with Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, as well as boosting Catalan business and culture in the region. The delegation will also provide support for the Catalan community living in the Nordic Countries, as well as work with international organizations based in the area.