Juncker’s European army could have spelt damage to Catalonia
SIR – We should be grateful that Jean-claude Juncker, the President of the European Commission, hasn’t got his European army. If he had, he might well have placed it at Spain’s disposal.
Malcolm Parkinson
Sway, Hampshire
SIR – I think it is a bit rich of Mr Juncker, a former leader of minuscule Luxembourg, to object to Catalonian independence.
Catalonia has a population of 7.5 million and is the equivalent size of Denmark or Austria.
Luxembourg, with a population of about 576,249, is the size of Northampton. Tom Suffolk
Horsley, Surrey
SIR – While Scotland seemingly stands alone in “respecting” the decision taken by the Catalan Parliament in declaring independence, it is interesting to look at some parallels.
In February 1991 Iceland’s parliament voted to recognise independence for Lithuania from the Soviet Union and instructed the government to set up diplomatic ties as soon as possible. These relations commenced in August 1991. It was the first such move by a Western country after Lithuania declared independence.
In addition to Scotland’s respecting the decision on Catalan independence, a motion is to be submitted to the Finnish Parliament by the country’s MP for Lapland, Mikko Karna, calling on Finland to recognise Catalonia officially as an independent republic.
Indications from Slovenia are that it too will support independence for Catalonia.
While the European Union stands idly by, its failure to intervene in Catalonia and deliver a diplomatic solution is leading to ruptures within the bloc as nations inevitably take the decision on whether or not to recognise Catalan independence.
Alex Orr
Edinburgh
SIR – Why is the Snp-led devolved Scottish administration even commenting on Catalan independence?
Nicola Sturgeon’s remit is exclusively domestic. Her record on areas of core responsibility such as education and the NHS is truly shocking. Distraction is the last thing her struggling ministers need.
But then again, separatism for the SNP isn’t a distraction; it’s why they exist.
Martin Redfern
Edinburgh
SIR – If Catalonia leaves Spain will this mean that Barcelona Football Club cannot play in Spanish or European football competitions until the new country is recognised by all of Europe?
If they are likely to be expelled then many of the team’s supporters may wish to change their minds over independence, as football is more important than life and death.
Stuart Jamieson
Eccleston, Lancashire