Catalonia suspends its declaration of independence, seeks dialogue

Catalan President Carles Puigdemont says the region will suspend its declaration of independence to allow for dialogue with the Spanish government over a peaceful separation.


"I want to follow the people’s will for Catalonia to become an independent state," Mr Puigdemont said in an address to the Catalan Parliament in Barcelona.

"The 'yes to independence' won. Even though we had to fight against violence. The vote for yes is more than the vote for no."

However, Mr Puigdemont said that his government was willing to delay the process to minimise conflict.

"We propose to suspend the effect of the independence declaration in order to work towards putting into practice the result of the referendum.

"Today, we are making a gesture of responsibility in favour of dialogue.

"We have to follow democracy and peace and respect people who think differently to us.

"I know I have to be responsible and take into account seven million people who are living in Catalonia.

"We will never agree on everything, but we have proved many times that the only way to move forward is with democracy and peace. That requires dialogue.

"The moment is really serious, we have to assume our responsibilities. We don't have to contribute to the violence, it's the opposite."
 [rte.ie]
 10/10/17