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Catalonian president calls for ‘credible, sincere’ talks with Madrid

Monday, 31 December 2018 1:24 AM [ Last Update: Monday, 31 December 2018 1:28 AM ]

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (L) and Catalan regional president Quim Torra pose for a picture after a meeting at the Palacio de Pedralbes in Barcelona on December 20, 2018. (Photo by AFP)

Catalan President Quim Torra has urged the Spanish government to start a "credible, honest and bold dialogue" with Catalonia in order to find a political solution to the long-going dispute over independence.

In his traditional New Year's speech, Torra said that his government will continue to ask for "dialogue, negotiation and international mediation" in 2019.

The Catalan president said that a "big majority of the Catalan society, 80%, has built a consensus" on three big issues. "First, that we are and we feel republicans. Second, that we don't accept judicial repression to solve political and democratic questions. And third, that we want to exercise our right to self-determination," he explained.

In his speech, Torra announced that his government will recover social laws currently suspended by Spain's Constitutional Court.

The first cabinet meeting of the year, expected on January 8, will agree on the steps to recover those laws, affecting areas such women's equality, energy poverty, climate change or taxes on empty flats, nuclear plants or bank deposits.

Spain PM, Catalonia leader agree to resolve crisis

Spanish premier and Catalonia’s regional leader have agreed to find a solution to the secession crisis in the region.

The Spanish government already said that it will withdraw legal challenges against some Catalan social laws presented by the previous PP administration. In fact, it already did it with a health policy law.

Torra also sent a message to other Catalan parties, urging "unity and solidarity". The Catalan president

Spain's socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and the regional leader of Catalonia agreed earlier this month to find a solution to the political crisis that has been festering since a failed secession attempt by the region last year.

UK aid that "democrats" should work together to defend "civil, social and political rights" for "everyone".

"The struggle for civil rights is linked to the fight for social rights, and the defense of human rights cannot be separated from the defense of the right of self-determination," the Catalan president said.

Jailed Catalan independence leaders however have called on protesters to demonstrate peacefully.