Catalan Parliament speaker to Barcelona consular corps: “We cannot accept having political prisoners and exiles in 21st century Europe”

The speaker of the Parliament of Catalonia, Laura Borràs, has proposed a “shared freedom model” in Europe, armed with “less weapons and more reasons”. She said this during the Europe Day event held on Monday at the Parliament, which was attended by some thirty consuls. Borràs told them that “it is not acceptable that in 21st century Europe there are political prisoners and exiles in Catalonia”.

Europa ha de ser un espai de drets i llibertats. És el meu deure animar-los a continuar defensant l'entesa dialogada entre les nacions, la democràcia i les llibertats. Perquè no podem acceptar que a l'Europa del segle XXI hi hagin presos polítics, exiliats i represaliats. pic.twitter.com/TNJIr4xY1l

— Presidenta Laura Borràs 🎗️ (@mhp_LauraBorras) May 10, 2021

The consul of Portugal, Ana Coelho, as a representative of the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, also addressed the audience. She highlighted the importance of the common European project and its values ​​in the face of the pandemic situation. Coelho hopes that the Conference on the Future of Europe that opened yesterday will help to give “an unprecedented response” to the situation of economic and social crisis, and that it will open a path “towards a fair, green and digital recovery in which Europe’s cooperation and solidarity becomes strengthened”.