MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Independent Catalonia will be a member of the European Union, as expelling it from the bloc makes no sense, Catalan government’s Director for Foreign Communications Joan Maria Pique said in an interview with the Euractiv outlet.
"Catalonia could be expelled from the European Union only if Spain recognises it as an independent state. But this would mean there is an agreement between Catalonia and Spain, because recognition comes from an agreement. But if there is such an agreement for recognition, what is the point of expelling Catalonia from the EU? It’s in the benefit of no-one," Pique said.
The official stressed that expelling Catalonia from the European Union would be against the interests of Spain, as "55% of all exports of Spain go through Catalonia."
"What is the point of expelling 7.5 million Europeans from a country that is a net contributor to the EU budget? Expelling a country that has Barcelona, the most dynamic and attractive city in the south of Europe? The only point would be revenge. But revenge doesn’t serve the common interest. So this [expelling independent Catalonia from the European Union] is not going to happen," Pique stated.
On Sunday, Catalonia held the independence referendum, doomed as illegal by Madrid. According to the region’s authorities, over 90 percent of the voters supported the secession from Spain. Spanish officials tried to hamper the vote by confiscating the ballot boxes, shutting down polling stations and preventing voters from casting ballots. The actions of the Spanish police and Civil Guard led to violent clashes with the voters, leaving hundreds injured. However, earlier in the day, a Madrid representative apologized for police violence during the referendum.
