Juncker says EU mediation on Catalonia impossible “if only one side asks” for it

The European Commission president, Jean Claude Juncker, said that it is impossible for the European Union to mediate in the Catalan issue because Madrid is rejecting its involvement. According to him, Brussels cannot launch a mediation “if only one side asks” for it. In a conference in the Belgian capital, Juncker also admitted that he has asked Spain for years to “take measures to prevent the Catalan issue from getting out of hand”.  

The more states, the more difficult to reach consensus

He also admitted being “deeply concerned” with the situation and rejected the independence of Catalonia. The main reason he offered was that the more member states in the European Union, the more difficult it is to find a common position among all the countries. “I wouldn’t like a Europe that has 100 states in 15 years’ time, because it is difficult enough with 27,” he said. Juncker also that he often mediates “between member states,” such as Slovenia or Croatia, but he can’t do the same with Catalonia.