'Political issues need to be dealt with through political solutions' - Flanders leader

The Minister-President of Flanders, Geert Bourgeois, has issued his regret at the lack of dialogue surrounding the current political situation between Spain and Catalonia, reiterating that “political issues need to be dealt with through political solutions.”

Catalan President Quim Torra met with the politician from Flanders in Brussels on Monday to discuss the ongoing trials of the Catalan leaders who arranged the 2017 independence referendum and the upcoming Spanish snap general election. Torra also took the opportunity to thank MP Bourgeois for the “enduring support of Flanders in these difficult moments for Catalonia”.

Torra is in Belgium for a conference alongside his predecessor Carles Puigdemont, which was originally due to be held in the European Parliament before being banned by Parliament head Antonio Tajani, citing “security threats.” However, the Catalan leaders announced they will continue with a forum of a similar nature in the Hotel Steinberg in the Belgian capital.

During the meeting between Torra and Bourgeois, the two welcomed the negotiations that are nearly finished about a new work program for future cooperation.

This work program will focus on important issues regarding the new economy, innovation, Information and Communications Technology, the development of Industry 4.0, and cooperation in Horizon 2020 programs.

Earlier Monday, Torra was denied a police escort for his trip to Belgium, as was the foreign affairs minister, Alfred Bosch, who is expected to travel to Brussels on Thursday.