europe

In an international conference taking place in Barcelona of Ombudsmen from Europe, America and Africa, the Catalan Ombudsman, Rafael Ribó, has warned that the institution has “less influence”. Furthermore, in some areas of Europe there is a threat that they will “disappear”. The Ombudsmen have been discussing their role in the face of the privatisation of basic services. The conference has been organised with the ‘Cercle d’Economia’, which is mainly an economic forum, open to businesspeople, academics and economic professionals.

The Conference of the Regional Legislative Assemblies of the European Union (CALRE) has met in Barcelona to discuss their interaction with the European Commission. The association of regional parliaments with legislative powers, such as those in Catalonia, Scotland, North Rhine-Westphalia or Flanders, has asked to participate in the drafting process of European directives.

Tourists from Eastern Europe will increase their presence in Catalonia this summer season, according to experts in the sector. Girona is now linked with 60 destinations while at the same Ryanair is reducing its flights from the airport and in a dispute with the Catalan Government over subsidies. Spanair will operate Ryanair’s flight to Madrid if no other airline does it.

The Islamic intellectual, Tariq Ramadan was interviewed by CNA. “We are afraid of the arrival of immigrants, but the best thing to do is develop the countries of origin”. The grandson of the Muslim Brotherhood’s founder criticised Europe’s lack of commitment with the democratization of the Muslim world as revolts go on and racism grows in countries like Switzerland and Spain.

Juan María Nin lectured at the London School of Economics about the current economical situation in Spain. He argued that Spain will recover if the markets continue to trust in the country’s capacity to meet its debt.

The Catalan Government hopes that the Mediterranean Corridor, which is planned to unite northern and southern Europe, will pass through Catalonia, along the Mediterranean shore and not through the centre of Spain.

Located on the top of a hill facing the Mediterranean Sea, the cemetery has become an icon within Catalan culture thanks to the poet Salvador Espriu and his book ?Cementiri de Synera? (?Cemetery of Synera?).

Catalan Government President becomes president of the regional cooperation association. The Four Motors for Europe encloses four of the most dynamic regions of Europe: Lombardy, Baden-Württemberg, Rhône-Alpes, and Catalonia.