Brussels, 31/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - Catalonian independence could prove a real headache for the European Union, which is doing its best not to get involved. In a letter of reply to a specific question from the Spanish authorities, Commission Vice President Viviane Reding, explained that she was unable to comment on a specifically national example or provide legal information with regard to possible independence, without a detailed description of the given situation. The question of Catalonia's independence, a region that already enjoys significant autonomy in Spain, will become a very concrete example during the Catalan elections on 25 November. These could lead to a referendum on the question of “self-determination” in the next four years.
In a letter published by El Pais, Reding confirms that according to the European treaties, the EU must respect the territorial integrity of its members and cannot unilaterally recognise a declaration of independence by part of a member state. On Tuesday 30 October, the Commission spokesman, Oliver Bailly clarified the Commission's position in an effort to cut short any mistaken interpretations in this connection, “we do not have a written scenario in the treaties in the event of a separation of the state. It is therefore up to the national parties themselves to organise new operational modalities. This is why, at this stage, we are not getting involved in any of these questions. It really is up to the national authorities to decide on the possible processes and when they come back to us with a legal scenario we will then give our view but only on the basis of an exact legal situation”. The Commission will only give its view on the legal ramifications at a level of European law regarding a separation of part of a member state or the creation of a new state in the EU, “when this situation arises”, added Bailly. Finally, if it transpires that this state wishes to join the European Union, the spokesman also pointed out that it would be necessary to do this in compliance with the rules and procedures of the European treaties.
The spokesman particularly highlighted the fact that overall “it is not the role of the Commission to express its opinion on questions of domestic organisation stemming from the constitutional stipulations of a member state”. Reding also insisted on this point. This clarification is important, to avoid Spain claiming Commission support for its position, an extremely hot potato with the approach of regional elections in Catalonia. (MD/transl.fl)