Spain's foreign minister has responded to comments by the exiled Catalan independence leader Carles Puigdemont that Madrid is "using judicial power to achieve political goals", saying "in Spain nobody is above the law". On October 5, an Italian court suspended Puigdemont's extradition proceedings pending a ruling by the European Court of Justice – proceedings that the Catalan leader says should be dropped by Spain.
José Manuel Albares told FRANCE 24: "The Spanish government doesn't comment on judicial decisions. What's important is to focus on the agenda the government has for Catalonia: an agenda of dialogue, looking to the future, economic recovery and fighting against Covid [...] The Spanish government always respects any judicial decision, but in Spain, no one is above the law."
Meanwhile, EU leaders have given the green light for post-Brexit talks between the United Kingdom's government and the European Commission on the future EU relationship with Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory.
Albares told FRANCE 24 that Madrid is looking for co-operation with the UK government: "On [Gibraltar's] sovereignty there is a dispute, I don't have to explain it, it's very clear. My first trip as foreign minister was to London. I was very clear that what we want is an area of common prosperity between Gibraltar and the rest of the region. And what we want is Frontex co-operating with us on the field. [...] The European Commission mandate is there, and we expect the United Kingdom to sit down and talk."
On another Brexit-related issue, that of fishing licences for EU boats in UK waters, the Spanish foreign minister says Spain supports dialogue: "The Brexit negotiation has had peaks and downs. We are going to defend European interests - but we favour dialogue."
The minister also spoke of Spain's intention to offer booster doses of Covid-19 vaccines and said that in terms of boosting vaccination rates in lower income countries, a temporary waiver of intellectual property could be an option: "Why not? One thing is clear, we must all understand that no one is safe until everybody is safe. Maybe the waiver of intellectual property rights will take too long whereas donation is the fastest way. Spain is fully involved in the Covax system and bilateral donations, and we will continue that path."
Albares also discussed Spanish relations with Morocco following a diplomatic row earlier this year over the disputed Western Sahara region; a new military pact between France and Greece; and the future of European nations' relationship with NATO amid growing calls for closer EU military cooperation.
Produced by Isabelle Romero, Perrine Desplats, Yi Song and Céline Schmitt
