go to the original language article
“`html
Brussels – The president of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, conveyed this Wednesday in his meetings with high-ranking officials from Brussels the will of Catalonia to “re-engage thoroughly” in the process of European construction, while also addressing the request for the official status of Catalan in European institutions.
Illa met today with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, and with the President of the Committee of the Regions, Vasco Alves Cordeiro.
He explained in statements to the press that he came to convey the “clear message” that the Government of Catalonia “wants to re-engage thoroughly and constructively in the process of European construction.”
To Metsola, he said he made clear “the will (…) to make our voice heard and contribute to the strengthening of the European project.”
Regarding the use of Catalan in the European Parliament “I explained why it is important for Catalonia and I thanked her constructive and rigorous attitude in resolving the issue so relevant to us,” he added on his account in X.
“This Government will work on whatever is necessary to achieve it,” he indicated.
He also said that in his meeting with Cordeiro he had the opportunity to express the Government of Catalonia’s “determined will” to “engage to the fullest” in the European Committee of the Regions with “a constructive attitude” and valued the role of local entities and regions in the construction of the EU.
Catalonia wants “to regain voice and prominence” in the Committee of the Regions,” he added on the social network, where he added that “a strong Europe means a strong Catalonia” and emphasized that the Generalitat will engage “to face the challenges Europe has” and will not leave “any space empty to defend the interests” of that autonomous community.
Regarding the official status of Catalan in the EU, he said in statements to the press that he is “convinced” that Catalonia’s request is a matter that will be discussed “thoroughly, seriously and rigorously” and assured that Catalonia will help in whatever it can.
Illa explained that, in his participation today in the European Committee of the Regions, he will speak in Catalan and added that there are already “many European institutions in which it is possible” to speak in that language.
He considered it “important, of course” to be able to do so also in the European Parliament.
And in that context, he said that from today’s meetings, he leaves “convinced, because I have seen it and spoken with (the President of the European Parliament, Roberta) Metsola that a thorough and serious analysis” of that issue is being done and recalled that a working group has been created to address the topic.
“I have stated what the situation is, which is an important thing for Catalonia, for the Government and the citizens of Catalonia,” indicated the president of the Generalitat.
On the other hand, regarding the former president of the Generalitat Carles Puigdemont, he said he would have liked to meet with him, a meeting he hopes to have soon in Catalonia.
In that context, he expressed his “utmost respect and personal consideration” for Puigdemont, in his “triple capacity” as a member of the Parliament of Catalonia, top leader of JuntsxCat and former president of the Generalitat.
He also recalled that his party has worked “for the approval of the Amnesty Law in force in Spain” and added that he hopes for the prompt publication of that regulation.
Illa was accompanied today by the Minister of the European Union and External Action, Jaume Duch. (November 20)
“`