Speaking in the Catalan parliament, the Minister for Foreign Action, Institutional Relations and Transparency, Alfred Bosch, said it was essential to “listen to the views of the majority of European citizens, who are calling for mediation” in the conflict between Catalonia and Spain. The minister’s statement was based on the results of a survey published yesterday by the Public Diplomacy Council of Catalonia (Diplocat). According to the survey, 60% of European citizens support EU mediation or the holding of a self-determination referendum in Catalonia.

“This is no longer an internal affair of the Kingdom of Spain; it’s become a European affair, and Europe can’t remain on the sidelines any longer,” the minister said in response to a question from the Catalan Republican Left (ERC) group. Bosch also stressed that the Catalan case has changed the way over half of European citizens see Spain and Catalonia. According to the Diplocat survey, 31% of Europeans think Spain’s image has worsened, and 34% believe Catalonia’s image has improved. European citizens also give the Spanish government a failing grade on its handling of the conflict with Catalonia.

Minister Bosch also made reference to some results related to tourism and the economy. For example, 70% of respondents perceive Catalonia as a place where it is easy to do business, and 88% see it as a very attractive tourist destination. “Does anyone still doubt that internationalisation is absolutely essential for Catalonia?” he asked.
Bosch reiterated that “we won’t stop engaging in foreign action, no matter how many obstacles they put in our way”. He also said that Josep Borrell, in his efforts to prevent the Catalan government from having a voice abroad, “has opened a new door for us for every window that he’s closed”.