Juncker: An independent Catalonia would have to apply to join EU

Juncker: An independent Catalonia would have to apply to join EU
By Everton Gayle
Share this articleComments
Share this articleClose Button

Juncker stated he would respect Spain's parliament and constitutional court, but also respect a yes vote in Catalan independence referendum

ADVERTISEMENT

Jean-Claude Juncker has said he would respect the results of a yes vote in a Catalan independence referendum.

But the European Commission President, speaking at a Euronews question-and-answer session, said that an independent Catalonia would need to take the same path to joining the EU as other nations have done in the past, giving Spain a potential veto.

Juncker on Catalonia independence referendum: “Catalonia would not become an EU member overnight.” https://t.co/eL7Bj9d0WLeuronews</a></p>— Selina Sykes (Selina_Sykes) 14 September 2017

“We have always said that we would respect the rulings of the Spanish Constitutional Court and the Spanish parliament, said Juncker.

“If there were to be a yes vote for Catalan independence we would respect that choice.

“But Catalonia will not become an EU member state the day after that vote. It would have to follow that same procedure as other countries for accession.”

Biggest blow to Spain’s strategy so far. Juncker says: EU will respect a Yes vote and will negotiate Catalonia’s membership https://t.co/ASineTwjgI

— Josep Lluís Alay (@josepalay) 14 September 2017

Catalonia’s parliament voted last week to hold an independence referendum on October 1, setting up a clash with the Spanish government.

Spain’s Constitutional Court suspended the referendum following a legal challenge by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

The government says the catalonia vote contravenes the constitution.

Share this articleComments

You might also like

We could crowdfund a progressive Europe for the people, by the people

Ukraine 'not fully satisfied' with new EU grain deal but can make it work, says agriculture minister

Should the EU continue to support Ukraine? Our poll finds Europeans are in favour