The thaw in institutional relations between Catalonia and the European Union was confirmed today in Brussels with the meeting between the President of the Generalitat, Pere Aragonès, and the European Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton, a meeting in which of sovereignty but not within the framework of the Spanish territorial debate but of Europe's commitment to correcting its vulnerabilities in geostrategic sectors such as energy or technology.
Catalonia is "completely aligned" with the priorities of the European Union, Aragonès assured regarding Brussels' plans to promote clean energy generated in community territory and to promote the manufacture of microprocessors to reduce dependence on China. "Catalonia is prepared to contribute to this challenge," he said in statements to the press at the end of his two-day visit to Brussels. "Catalonia arrives with its homework done," he insisted, referring to the launch last year of the Hydrogen Valley in Tarragona and the attraction of projects and investors for the design of chips around the Barcelona Super Computer.
Sources from the European Commission describe as "constructive" the talks between Aragonès and Breton on "Catalonia's plans to strengthen its existing capabilities in the semiconductor sector, in line with the European strategy" and the need to "quickly accelerate and drastic" the development of transformational energy technologies, such as hydrogen or solar panels, to contribute to the total decarbonization of the continent in 2050.
Aragonès and Breton also spoke about the agreement announced yesterday between Spain, France and Portugal for the construction of a new underwater gas pipeline between Barcelona and Marseille. "From my point of view, he should be a candidate to receive European funds" although this "must be explained by the Commission", said the Catalan politician. The BarMar, as the new pipeline has been called for the time being, "gives us the opportunity to be a hydrogen energy hub in Europe" and opens up "extraordinary possibilities" to develop all the associated industries, highlighted the president, who yesterday he spoke by phone with Vice President Teresa Ribera about the project.
The Generalitat, underlines the Government, has direct powers in several aspects that will directly affect the development of the project, from urban to environmental issues. "Here they will find all our complicity and support, and we will be willing to collaborate with the State Government, the French Government and the European Commission," Aragonés stressed before flying back to Barcelona, without releasing a pledge despite the insistence of the press. about what the position of the ERC parliamentary group will be regarding the presentation of amendments to the General State Budgets.
