About the author of this article for Help Catalonia
All 'nationalistic' issues are seen, in principle, with some reticence in Europe. But as with everything in life, there are many openings. And we can take advantage of these to try to reverse pre-established ideas or at least to abate unfounded assumptions. It is preferable, for example, to link independence to a democratic movement and not to relate it to nationalism. It must be remembered that the word 'nationalism' is highly disparaged in Europe, not just because of Nazism, which is primarily responsible for this, but also because it is identified with the dynamics of the states that put their interests before those of European citizens by constantly restraining the development of the Union.
Secondly, there are also many MEPs (Hungarian, Swedish, etc..) who represent national minorities within the states of the European Union where they reside, and are in favour of the rights of those communities. Many of these MEPs belong to the Socialist and Popular Eurogroups and there is thus yet another opening, this time to break the uniformity of the two main groups of the European Parliament on the issue of stateless nations. It also helps that the acceptance of Catalonia as a member of the European Union would not broaden the borders of the Union, as it would imply internal enlargement. This should simplify the process of national emancipation.
Finally, there is another indispensable factor for MEPs to understand the wish for freedom of the Catalan people (a wish that has increased in recent years, as evidenced by various surveys and opinion polls): the trust Catalan MEPs generate within a parliamentary group, a trust that is built by working together day by day on a broad variety of issues, sharing views, and advancing politically together. It may seem like a job with little bearing, but keep in mind that the vast majority of MEPs are major mouthpieces in their countries which can be used, albeit indirectly.
All these factors help us get MEPs to understand the need for our own state in Catalonia. Although sometimes wearisome, this job requires consistency and persistence if the existence of the Catalan Countries is to be recognised, in Europe and anywhere else we are present (beginning with Spanish Congress), showing that we have a living language, with literary prestige and a higher number of speakers than other European nations that have official status in Europe.
Oriol Junqueras
MEP Member of the European Parliament
http://www.junqueras.cat/
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