ANDORRA LA VELLA (Sputnik) – The mediation of a conflict between the supporters of Catalan independence vote and the Spanish government is very unlikely, the two sides should jointly ask a third party to act as an intermediary, Lord Alf Dubs, a member of the EU External Affairs’ Sub-Committee in the UK House of Lords, told Sputnik.
"The mediation won't be a bad thing. I think Spain and the Catalan government should jointly go to the EU or somebody and say: can we have some mediation help. They can ask the OSCE or even the Brits! The mediation is highly unlikely for a moment. I think the mediation would be helpful if both sides would be willing to accept it. Mediation only works when both sides agree," the UK lawmaker said on the sidelines of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly session currently underway in Andorra.
Lord Dubs added that he was surprised and shocked by the brutality of the Spanish police during Sunday's referendum and stressed that those violent acts only angered the Catalan people and played into the hands of secessionists.
"I think that violence has helped separatists here. I think it is very disappointing. I would rather want to see countries retain their unity. It is a very difficult situation for Spain and I am very sorry for them, however, the way the police behaved has helped the separatists," Lord Dubs noted.
According to the Catalan government, almost 900 people had to seek medical treatment after the clashes with the police at the referendum.
On Monday, the day after the referendum, head of the Catalan government Carles Puigdemont said that the mediation of a third party would help solve the crisis, adding that Catalonia had already received several offers to mediate.
The Catalan authorities have said that more than 2 million voters cast their ballots in a Sunday referendum, with more than 90 percent backing the region's independence.
On Tuesday, Puigdemont told the BBC broadcaster that the region would proclaim its independence in the next few days, proving Catalonia's readiness to proceed with the campaign.
Madrid considers the referendum illegal, however, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has said that he would remain open to negotiations with Catalonia, but only within the legal framework.
