Junker fears Catalonia crisis to cause UPRISING in EU with 98 STATES wanting say
JEAN-CLAUDE Juncker admitted he was fearful the crisis in Catalonia could cause a dramatic uprising in the European Union, with 98 states wanting their say on Brussels’ future.
By VICKIIE OLIPHANT
Express.co.uk
Mon, Oct 16, 2017
The European Commission President has again dismissed the possibility of a European mediation in Spain, as he claimed the Catalan independence debate was not the EU’s businesses.
Mr Juncker’s position on the referendum has been no secret, after he repeatedly told reporters in three languages that the referendum of October 1 was not legal and would not be accepted by the EU.
But he has also now revealed his private fears that if Catalonia succeeds in separating from Spain, the independence debate could cause a rise in separatist movements across the continent.
And he insisted Brussels could not cope if its current 28 members, soon to be 27 once Britain leaves the bloc, saw a massive rise to 98 if autonomous regions sought their freedom.
The EC President said: “If we allow it, even if it is not just our business, the independence of Catalonia, others will do the same. I would not like that.
“I would not like a European Union with 98 state in 15 years. It is already relatively difficult with 28 states.
“It will not be easy with 27, but with 98 I imagine it as something completely impossible.”
At a ceremony in Luxembourg, Mr Juncker said that “some time ago” he asked the Spanish president to take initiatives to deal with the situation in Catalonia.
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