The European Commission states for the first time that Catalonia’s independence would have to be negotiated at international level

Brussels (ACN).- The European Commission has talked for the first time ever about a hypothetical independence of Catalonia from Spain. The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Durao Barroso, admitted that “in the hypothetical case of a secession” of Catalonia “the solution should be found and negotiated within the international legal framework”. Until now, the Commission always refused to say anything about the issue when it was asked, arguing it was an internal matter that should be solved within Spain and according to Spanish legislation. However this time, when Barroso was asked by the Italian Euro-MP from the Lega Nord if Catalan citizens “would automatically lose their status as EU citizens and their rights and duties” if Catalonia were to become independent from Spain, the EC President offered an answer. With his answer, Barroso assumes that international legislation would apply and negotiations at international level would take place. However, he also stated that “the EU citizenship is additional”.

For the first time, the EC admitted that the claim for independence in Catalonia is not strictly a Spanish internal matter but an issue at a European and international level. Catalonia’s hypothetical independence process should follow international legislation, which recognises the self-determination of peoples, and not the Spanish legislation, which does not recognise this collective right, included in the Human Rights Charter. Therefore, the process should follow a tri-lateral negotiation according to Barroso. However, Barroso said that the hypothetical new Catalan independent state would not automatically become a member of the European Union, as it would have to be negotiated.

“The EU citizenship is additional” said Barroso

In fact, Barroso was ambiguous about the original issue asked. Mara Bizzotto, from the Italian Lega Nord, asked if Catalans “would immediately lose their status as EU citizens and their rights and duties” if Catalonia were to become independent from Spain. “EU citizenship is additional and does not substitute national citizenships”, stated the EC President. He added as well that “in the case of a possible secession the citizens would continue being protected by international legislation”.