Independence “not an issue” in European Medicines Agency fight

Brussels (CNA).- The Spanish Minister of Health, Dolors Montserrat, defended on Wednesday that the current political debate in Catalonia, where the government plans to hold an independence referendum in autumn, does not damage Barcelona's candidacy to host the new headquarters of the European Medicines Agency. In comments to the press from Brussels, where she was holding meetings with Health Commissioner, Vytenis Andriukaitis, and the Secretary-Generals of the Commission and the Council, Montserrat said that “no one” had raised the issue of independence. “We are the government of all Catalans and we want the EMA in Barcelona. I am strongly convinced that (the independence debate) does not affect this at all. No one has asked me about it,” she insisted. The EMA needs to relocate from London after Brexit, and several European cities—including Barcelona, Amsterdam, Lisbon, and Milan—want to become its new headquarters. 

Dolors Montserrat said that the Catalan capital is already “ready” to host the EMA's 900 staff members at the iconic Torre Agbar building “without disrupting operations” and while “maintaining current talent”. “We can offer a smooth relocation process,” added Montserrat, who denied that Barcelona’s candidacy should be rejected on the grounds that Spain already hosts three other European agencies in Vigo, Bilbao, and Alacant. “We are not talking about creating a new agency, but relocating one that has already been working since 1992,” she said, pointing out that if other member states with no agencies want to attract EMA they should demonstrate that they have “the infrastructure, the connectivity and the facilities” ready. “We are prepared,” she said, adding: “EMA staff could move in tomorrow.”

“We are the best option, the best city, the best country, because we fulfill each of the criteria set by the European Commission and the European Council,” Montserrat explained. A document circulating amongst member states since the beginning of the week defines the following criteria to decide which city should host the EMA: the assurance that the agency can be set up on site and commence operations at the same time as Brexit happens; the accessibility of the location; the existence of adequate education facilities for the children of agency staff; appropriate access to the labor market, social security and medical care for both children and spouses; business continuity and geographical spread.

“We are working in coordination with the Barcelona City Hall and the Catalan Government. What is good for Barcelona is good for Catalonia, and what is good for Catalonia is good for Spain and Europe,” said Montserrat, dismissing concerns about the implications of the political stalemate between the Catalan and Spanish governments on the issue of independence. The Spanish President, Mariano Rajoy, warned some weeks ago that any “instability” could damage Barcelona’s candidacy.

“Every member state knows that our candidacy is serious, strong, and competitive,” underscored the Spanish Health Minister, who is Catalan herself. Montserrat asked the EU to take a decision “quickly” and in a “transparent” manner in order to “protect the wellbeing of all Europeans”. The minister also pointed out that Barcelona was the second option after London to host the EMA when it was created back in 1992. “If we were prepared then, we are even better prepared now,” she assured. The decision on the relocation of EMA will be taken by EU member states in October.