20-Feb-20: 'Negotiation table between Spanish and Catalan governments to begin next week'

After weeks of discussions, and still some details to be ironed out, the Spanish and Catalan governments will officially begin bilateral talks aimed at resolving the political deadlock next week. The negotiation table between the Spanish and Catalan governments will get underway next Wednesday. Quim Torra met with vice president Pere Aragones today to discuss the dialogue talks, with some details yet to be decided such as who exactly will form part of the Catalan side, and whether or not there will be a mediator.   Quim Forn left prison today, after being granted daytime leave. Spanish prosecutors have threatened to bring the pro-independence leaders’ use of the constitutional article to the Supreme Court, arguing they are covertly enjoying the leniency of lower grade inmates. The lawyer of Supreme Court judge Pablo Llarena, who ordered arrest warrants against exiled Catalan leaders, accused Carles Puigdemont of exporting the conflict to Belgium in this morning’s preliminary hearing for a case in the Balgian courts. Puigdemont and fellow exiled MEP Toni Comín filed the case against Llarena for an alleged violation of their right to a fair trial. A new government programme aims to improve the authorities’ response to natural disasters, including informing citizens better on what the government can do to help them, and simplifying the procedures applying for aid.   Catalan exports beat record figures for a ninth year in a row last year, as sales abroad amounted to more than €73bn, up around 3% on the previous year. / ACN

ACN

First published: February 20, 2020 06:55 PM