Pedro Sánchez defends "dialogue for reconciliation" after meeting with President of the Regional Government of Catalonia

Palau de la Generalitat, Barcelona

In his speech after the meeting, Pedro Sánchez stressed that his meeting with the current President of the Regional Government of Catalonia reflects a "sincere desire for dialogue and agreement" and the wish by a large majority of citizens in Catalonia and Spain as a whole to give reconciliation a chance.

He went on to say that relations over the last decade have been marked by institutional conflict, political dispute and social tension, a "regrettable" state of affairs that has only produced "downheartedness and weariness" and demands a new path aimed at reaching an understanding. "It is easy to forget that the ultimate purpose of politics is to resolve conflicts, not accentuate them, and much less to invent them in order to gain an advantage", he said.

The President of the Government highlighted the fact that reconciliation is not only an institutional requirement but is also based on the continued validity of the bonds that tie millions of Catalans and Spaniards who wish to live together without resentment or distrust. Above all, he said we "owe it to our children and grandchildren, who deserve to live in harmony and prosper through it".

Pedro Sánchez said that is the only way they can face up to the huge global challenges, such as climate change, male violence against women and social inequality. He also mentioned the digital revolution in this regard, which makes such spaces as the Mobile World Congress so essential for the future, "an event hosted by Barcelona, where it should stay", he added.

Common interest and plurality

Regarding how Central Government will approach this dialogue, the President of the Government stressed that it will always consider all Spaniards, no matter their latitude or ideology, while seeking to ensure the common interest. He then said that the process should also consider the social, cultural and political plurality of Catalonia. Thirdly, the Government of Spain will act with perseverance, honesty and clarity.

Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la BellacasaPedro Sánchez explained that he gave an open document to Joaquim Torra, an Agenda for Reconciliation, containing the ground rules for dialogue and tackling two different issues. On the one hand, it deals with the ways to overcome the political disputes; an area to be worked on by the recently agreed Council of Governments. The President of the Government has proposed that its first meeting be held in February.

On the other hand, the document contains all the issues that the last three Presidents of the Regional Government of Catalonia discussed with the Central Government of Spain. Pedro Sánchez said that the Government of Spain offers a response to those 44 outstanding issues, either positively or by offering an alternative, but constructively in every case. These issues will be discussed at the Bilateral Central Spanish Government-Catalan Regional Government Commission provided for in the Statute of Autonomy of Catalonia.

In short, he stressed that the Government of Spain has designed "a secure schedule and an agenda that will bring us closer to reconciliation". Pedro Sánchez said he is aware this process will not be easy, will be faced by resistance in Catalonia and the rest of Spain, and will require time and effort, "but those are my reasons for starting as soon as possible".

Furthermore, he argued that this should be the legislature of territorial dialogue, not only through the Council for dialogue but also through the day-to-day parliamentary work in the Lower House of Parliament and through the Conference of Regional Government Heads.

Non official translation