Brussels, 30/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - Social movements from Catalonia, Flanders, the Basque Country and Scotland are pushing for the right to self-determination. On Friday 30 November, the European Partnership for Independence (EPI) presented in Brussels its intention to introduce a citizens' initiative for the right to self-determination to be recognised at European level. Catalan, Flemish, Basque and Scottish social movements are behind this working group and this step. They hope to gather a million signatures to be able to realise this initiative.
The EPI spokesperson for Catalonia, Anna Arque, explains: “Here in Catalonia we believe that the right to self-determination is a fundamental one and as members of the European family one which must be accorded to citizens of the EU regardless of member states' reluctance to acknowledge this right”. Her Scottish counterpart, Chris White, states: “Whilst the EU has achieved much, many now believe it has reached a crossroads where the democratic deficit within its institutions is threatening any continued success. It's time the institutions of Europe sat up and listened to its people before it is too late.” (MD/transl.fl)