Catalans step up bid for recognition from forum

Date: 30/01/03

By Martin Banks

THE president of Catalonia says it is "absolutely vital" that the Convention formally recognises the importance of regions when it draws up the constitutional treaty in the coming weeks.

"We will no longer stand idly by and watch our powers taken away," Jordi Pujol declared. "If we don't speak up for Europe's regions, no one will."

The veteran Spanish politician was speaking after the Catalan government published the findings of its own 'convention'.

Comprising members of the Barcelona-based government, it was convened partly because there are no Catalan representatives on the official forum chaired by Valéry Giscard d'Estaing.

"We were very disappointed there was no one to speak up for us, but then it was not so surprising given that the appointments were made by the Spanish government and we do not currently enjoy very good relations with the administration.

"Setting up a convention of our own was the next best thing," Pujol told European Voice.

Under Spain's constitution, Catalonia and other regions enjoy some powers, over public health care for instance.

But Pujol argues they should have more.

As well as formal recognition of the role regions can play, the Catalans have sent a raft of other demands to Giscard. These include:

• special recognition of Catalan as an EU language;
• support for a 'federal' Europe with more powers for EU institutions, and;
• backing for the idea of a Commission president elected by MEPs.

Pujol cites Germany, with its strong regional governments, as an example of the effective role regions can play in the decision-making process.

"It's worked there so why not in Spain? We are saying to Giscard: 'Ignore us at your peril'," the president said.

For Pujol and the Catalans, which make up 15 of Spain's population, the language issue is all-important.

He points out that the languages of accession countries such as Malta, Estonia, Finland and Latvia will be recognised by the EU when they join the bloc in 2004, evn though they all have a smaller population than Catalonia.

Pujol, 71, said: "Ours is a vibrant and active language.

"Almost all Catalans speak the language and we are asking that it should at least be given special recognition.

The president of Catalonia says it is 'absolutely vital' that the Convention formally recognises the importance of regions when it draws up the constitutional treaty.