Government of Catalonia endorses a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly
Officials express support following a resolution of the Catalan parliament
The government of the Spanish autonomous community of Catalonia supports the international campaign for the establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly. In a formal ceremony, the Catalan Secretary for Foreign and European Union Affairs, Roger Albinyana, and the Catalan Director General for Multilateral and European Affairs, Manuel Manonelles, signed a document stating the government's endorsement.
The Catalan Director General Manuel Manonelles and Secretary Roger Albinyana with CEUNPA representative Joan Marc Simon (from left) |
Image: WDGpa |
The endorsement follows on a resolution that was adopted by the Catalan parliament on September 26th last year. The resolution called on the government of the autonomous community to support the international efforts and to advocate for a UN Parliamentary Assembly at the EU level and in the framework of the government's international activities.
The ceremony in Barcelona on February 3rd was attended by the campaign's representative for Spain, Joan Marc Simon. "We now hope to bring the topic to the state level and convince the Spanish government to embrace the cause of supranational democracy," Mr. Simon commented.
The international appeal for a UN Parliamentary Assembly so far has been endorsed by more than 1,400 former and sitting members of parliament from over 100 countries, among others. In a resolution adopted in 2011, the European Parliament expressed support for the proposal. Two weeks ago, a resolution was introduced in the parliament of Iceland.
The parliament of Catalonia is the second subnational regional parliament to officially endorse a UN Parliamentary Assembly. In 2012, the Congress of the State of Jalisco, a Mexican federal state, expressed support as well.
Read more
26 March 2014: Proposal for a UN Parliamentary Assembly presented at Parliament of Catalonia
30 October 2012: Congress of the State of Jalisco supports appeal for a UN Parliamentary Assembly
Top image: The Parliament of Catalonia in Barcelona, barcelonaturisme.com