On 15 February, the Catalan National Assembly (a civil society umbrella body) convened a roundtable to discuss the country's future defence and security needs and policies. Participants discussed the country’s needs in these areas and the corresponding necessary capabilities and their cost. They also considered Catalonia’s duties to NATO and the wider international community. While a variety of opinions were voiced on certain issues, a consensus was reached on the need to move forward as soon as possible in some key areas, without waiting for a formal declaration of independence. In particular the following three were considered to be very relevant in the near future, and suitable for development before sovereignty is fully resumed:
• Intelligence Services. The Catalan Government, like any other government in the world, needs accurate information and intelligence. A dedicated agency must be created, with a full-spectrum capability and ready to cooperate with counterparts in other countries. This is particularly necessary in view of the threat from non-state actors, and of Catalonia’s key geographical location, which makes it attractive to all sorts of criminal and other armed organizations. Furthermore, it is essential in order to reassure the international community that Catalonia’s resumption of sovereignty will result in increased security in the Western Mediterranean, thus benefitting other countries.
• Constabulary-type police and coast guard. A gendarmerie-type police force, combining police and light-infantry capabilities, is needed for two reasons. First, to confront threats by criminal networks equipped with military weapons and often comprising former servicemen. Second, to cooperate with the UN, NATO, and other international organizations, in post-conflict stabilization operations, where the need is often felt for units able to prevent and investigate crime in counterinsurgency scenarios. In addition, a coast guard is an essential institution in a littoral state, and could evolve in a short period of time from existing security agencies.
• National civil service. Security is a much wider concept than defence, involving among others human security, food security, environmental protection, civil protection, search and rescue, and the prevention and fight against wildfires. Many citizens wish to contribute their time and skills in these areas, without necessarily joining the relevant services on a full-time basis. A National Civil Service may allow them to do so, while developing and building their new skills and learning new ones. An additional advantage would be a greater capability to deal with the unexpected, such as large-scale natural or industrial disasters. The participants at the roundtable were Pepe Beunza (first conscientious objector in the Spanish Armed Forces), Alex Calvo (professor of International Relations at European University), and Amadeu Recasens (advisor to the Council of Europe on police and security matters). A full video recording of the event is available at:
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