The EU Commission should mediate between Spanish and Catalan authorities

The Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament has today called on the European Commission to facilitate dialogue between the Spanish and Catalan authorities to help resolve the political situation around the proposed referendum on Catalan independence.

The call comes in a letter to Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans, who is responsible for Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights (see full text on our website).

The Greens/EFA group has also requested that a debate on the situation be held in next week’s plenary session of the European Parliament. The decision will be made in the Conference of Presidents tomorrow (Thursday 28 September).

Ska Keller, Co-President of the Greens/EFA group, comments:

“There is an urgent need for dialogue between the Spanish and Catalan authorities. The European Commission should promote dialogue and offer to mediate between the actors. It is in the best interests of those on all sides that a political solution is found to end the current deadlock."

Philippe Lamberts, Co-President of the Greens/EFA group, adds:

"It is clear that the current situation is untenable. We are concerned that measures taken by the Spanish authorities have exacerbated an already delicate situation. Both the fundamental rights of citizens and their right to decide on their future have to be respected."