​​​​​​​Laura Borras: We hope that Catalan parliament's decision will make Rojava feels they are not alone

The Speaker of the Catalan Parliament, Laura Borras, confirmed in an interview with our agency that it was the Catalan people who pushed us to take the decision to recognize the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, and that she hopes that this step will be the beginning of recognition of this political entity on a broader level and in other regions of the world.

 On October 20, the Catalan regional parliament recognized the AANES, calling on its institutions to rebuild the region there.  For its part, the Autonomous Administration confirmed in a statement that the recognition made by the Catalan regional parliament is a qualitative development that confirms the correctness of the NES aministration’s approach and project as a solution to the current crisis in Syria.  In the context of this, our agency held a dialogue with the President of the Parliament of Catalonia, Laura Borras, who in turn affirmed the solidarity of the Catalan people with the Kurdish people in Rojava and with all oppressed peoples.

On what is the decision to recognize the AANES based?  Why now, after 8 years of its existence?

 What happens and is approved by the Catalan parliament often has a lot to do with what is being worked on within the organized civil society of our country.  During the war in Syria, and many years ago, there was a strong participation of Catalan organizations that not only supported the refugees generated by this conflict but focused on supporting and recognizing the struggle of the Kurdish people in Iraq but different scenarios.  The vote in the last plenary session on the 20th of last month and recognition of this administration is the result of years of work and the proposal of civil society organized in Catalonia to support the Kurdish cause.

 After recognizing the Autonomous Administration, can we talk about diplomatic relations between Catalonia and the Rojava administration in the future?

 The concept of diplomacy in the twenty-first century has evolved significantly.  There have already been relations between private organizations here in Catalonia but also from the Catalan public administration with Rojava.  But now, these relations will develop in a new framework because after this recognition decision, the relations will take an official feature.

 Was the Catalan government under pressure for taking this decision?  Is it possible to talk about pressure from the Turkish Consul?  How does the Spanish government view this recognition decision?

 You should ask representatives of the Spanish government about this.  As Speaker of the Catalan Parliament, I am proud to say that the map of Catalonia's friendships abroad is also a map of recognition of a political reality that protects human rights and is based on principles.  The core democracies we share and that we jointly encourage.

How might this decision affect the relations between the Kurdish people in Rojava and the people of Catalonia?  Was this decision an echo in Catalan society?

 As I told you before, this decision came as a result of the strong relations between these two peoples. There is indeed a tradition of solidarity between the two peoples. I hope the recognition decision will mark a turning point and further strengthen these relationships.

 The Rojava administration is not recognized by any other person or political entity, why did Catalonia want to be the first?

 The Catalan organizations as well as some of the deputies who were responsible for implementing this initiative were able to do so after they got to know this Kurdish administration firsthand.  Feminist-based management, social and municipal ecology.

 In Catalonia we have always felt close to those people who want to build their future on democratic principles, including the exercise of the right to self-determination.  In this sense, Kurdistan is a brotherly people.

 This move in Catalonia is a glimmer of hope.  Can we see other confessions of other oppressed peoples?

 we hope that.  For us, recognition of peoples, as long as it is based on democratic principles and on the right to self-determination, is a political duty.

 Do you think that this step will encourage other similar steps from other regions in Spain?

It must be understood that Catalonia is different from other regions in Spain.  Through the political reality of Catalonia, our role at the international level has been different and more effective than it might be in other regions or regions.

 What message do you want to convey to the people of Rojava?

 We hope that our parliament's decision will make the men and women of Rojava realize that they are not alone.  They were instrumental in the fight with the allies to expel the Islamic State from most of Syrian Kurdistan.  They have fulfilled their obligations, and we also want to abide by our promise to them and remain in support of their democratic project and support the oppressed peoples.  Our message is one of hope, recognition and solidarity, we also want to be embodied in concrete projects between the administration of Kurdistan and the government of Catalonia.

 What does this move mean to you (as a pro-independence Catalan)?

 I am absolutely convinced that Parliament must not only guarantee the rights of all Catalans, and it does so, but must act from the perspective that all rights must be for everyone and everywhere.  As the Speaker of Parliament, I am proud that we are taking such a step because it means that we not only proclaim the universal concept of rights but also make it effective through actions such as the recognition of this new administrative entity, which also implicitly represents the old struggle of the people of Kurdistan for their freedom.

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