The President of the Government of Catalonia, Pere Aragonès, held a meeting this morning with the President of the Basque Country, Iñigo Urkullu, at the European Parliament, during which they both agreed on the need to "strengthen the role of nations such as the Basque Country and Catalonia in the EU".

In this regard, President Aragonès expressed his support for Urkullu's proposal that territories like Catalonia and the Basque Country should have "a mechanism of direct participation and decision-making, aside from the Committee of the Regions, in all those areas within the scope of our powers where European institutions intervene, and in which we cannot participate because the Spanish government is doing so on our behalf".

President Aragonès said the meeting was very positive and emphasised the "mutual understanding" in matters of common interest, which had already been discussed at previous meetings. Both leaders pledged to "continue working" in this direction. During the meeting, they discussed issues such as European funds and the negotiations with the Spanish government for the transfer of powers in areas such as the Rodalies regional railways or the minimum wage.

In statements to the media after the meeting, President Aragonès also stated that today "we will convey to the European Parliament our position in favour of the right to self-determination and the need for a European framework of clarity that allows, in the case of nations wishing to enhance their political status, such as Catalonia, mechanisms to be established within the framework of European law so that the will of the citizens of these nations is heard, respected, and integrated into the structure of the EU".