The President of the Generalitat, Pere Aragonès i Garcia, met this Wednesday and Thursday with the European Commissioners for Justice, Didier Reynders, and for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, to continue strengthening the collaboration between the Government of Catalonia and the European Commission.

Thursday, President Aragonès received the European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, at the Palau de la Generalitat, with whom he discussed issues related to social policies and the fight against inequality.

At the meeting, Aragonès explained some of the initiatives being promoted by the Government of the Generalitat to tackle social transformation and the demographic challenge. At the same time, he reaffirmed the Catalan Government’s commitment to the European Pillar of Social Rights, which establishes a series of principles and actions to move towards a strong, fair, inclusive and equal opportunities social Europe.

For the Catalan Government, the cooperation of European institutions with governments such as that of Catalonia in the implementation and development of social policies is essential. The Generalitat has powers in issues such as education, health, social rights, childhood, housing and active employment policies, among others, and is therefore a key actor in guaranteeing the effectiveness of the initiatives carried out in these areas.

In addition, the President outlined the reindustrialisation strategy being carried out by the Catalan Government, highlighting the National Agreement for Industry reached with all sectors and social stakeholders in the country, and the opportunity provided by European funds for the creation of jobs with fair conditions.

Meeting with the Commissioner for Justice

Yesterday, Wednesday, the President met with Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders. Aragonès and the European Justice Commissioner had already met a year ago in Brussels to address the problem of cybersecurity and espionage with Pegasus spyware. At yesterday’s meeting they spoke again about this issue, and the President explained the judicial developments in the case, such as the admission of the complaint filed by Aragonès and the commencement of investigations by the judge.

The President conveyed the willingness of the Government of the Generalitat to collaborate in eradicating these practices and defended the need for European governments and institutions to cooperate in order to protect the fundamental rights of citizens in the face of cyber espionage.

They also discussed the official status of Catalan in the EU.

Relationship with the European Commission

These meetings are part of the normalisation of institutional relations between the Government of Catalonia and the European institutions.

Since the beginning of this term of office, one of the priorities of the President’s foreign action has been to resume meetings and cooperation with the European Commission. Last year, he received the Vice-President of the Commission, Margaritis Schinas, at the Palau de la Generalitat, and met in Brussels with Commissioner Reynders and the Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton.

He also met the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, at an event in Barcelona.