President 'convinced' European Parliament working 'seriously' on use of Catalan in chamber 

Catalan President Salvador Illa is "convinced" that the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, is working "seriously" on the use of the Catalan language in the chamber. 

After meeting with the European Parliament leader in Brussels, Illa emphasized that a "rigorous and serious analysis" of the measure is underway. 

"I leave convinced, I have seen that they want to address the issue seriously, a specific working group has been created, and there is the will to address the issue in full," Illa said. 

However, the president stated that making the use of Catalan a reality in the European Parliament is a process that "will take the time it takes," depending on the decisions of the chamber Bureau. 

In a media briefing, Illa said that Metsola showed "a very serious and respectful attitude" and an intention to deal with the issue "in depth." 

"I saw in her a constructive, informed attitude, and a desire to resolve things and find a way forward," he added. 

No Puidgemont meeting 

The Catalan president also stated on Wednesday that he will meet with one of his predecessors, Carles Puigdemont "when the time comes." 

Responding to criticism from the pro-independence Junts leader for not agreeing to meet with him in Brussels, Illa said that he has "the utmost respect and consideration" for the former president. 

Illa said that he "would have liked" to meet Puigdemont in Catalonia and, in this regard, urged the judiciary to "respect" the decisions of the legislative branch and to apply the amnesty law. 

Puigdemont criticized Illa for meeting with previous presidents but not with him. "Refusing to hold an institutional meeting can only be explained by his political resistance to applying the amnesty," Puigdemont said. 

Illa's first international trip as president 

Salvador Illa's two-day trip to Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday is his first official trip abroad as Catalan president, arranged around a meeting of the European Committee of the Regions. 

Illa met with the president of the Committee of the Regions, Vasco Alves Cordeiro, early on Wednesday, expressing the Catalan government's willingness to get involved "to the fullest" and with a "constructive attitude." 

During the meeting of the European Committee of the Regions, Illa, speaking in Catalan, defended the need to "reinforce" cooperation between administrations "at all levels" when responding to emergencies like the DANA storm which brought floods, death and destruction to Valencia and other parts of Spain earlier in November. 

The Catalan president highlighted the role of European institutions in "shaping response systems, coordination and solidarity efforts." 

Illa also intervened on the debate on the 30th anniversary of the committee. 

On Wednesday afternoon, he will meet with the President of Navarre, María Chivite, and the Basque Lehendakari, Imanol Pradales. 

Illa will also participate in an event presenting an alliance of various European regions calling for more involvement of regions in EU debates and policies.