Last Wednesday, May 7, the Catalan Parliament approved the law creating the Foreign Affairs and Relations with the European Union Corps, a civil service body specializing in international relations that, despite having statutory coverage, had not yet been created.
At a time when it seems that all politics passes through Madrid, it is important to continue deploying the powers of the Generalitat and strengthening the institution. Because those of us who defend the full sovereignty of Catalonia are very clear that the Generalitat is a fundamental element; it is the institution that historically represents Catalan sovereignty, the one that survived exile during the Franco dictatorship and was reinstated during the transition, resuming and recognizing its entire historical legacy. It was not easy at the time, nor has it been easy to defend it, nor to make it grow since then.
In recent years, the Generalitat's foreign action has been harshly attacked. The excuse has been the independence movement. The entire strategy of criminalization and judicial persecution against this movement has been used to attack the public servants who have served in recent years. This has been done from spaces of democratic and institutional representation, the Court of Accounts, courts, and every media platform available. The clear objective is to undermine the capacity of the country's highest institution to exercise this authority and continue to strengthen its international relations capacity. Because the ultimate target of the attack was not only the separatists, but the Generalitat itself and everything it represents.
With the creation of this civil service specialized in international relations, which will report to the department responsible for foreign affairs but will be present in all areas of government that deploy international relations, a very important step forward is taken.
From a political perspective, this puts an end to the strategy of attempting to deny and criminalize the diplomatic activity that the Generalitat has been building over the years, especially since joining the European Union, with regard to economic, cultural, and institutional relations and cooperation for the entire country. Because not only is this diplomatic activity recognized, but having a specialized body also strengthens the institution in the eyes of our counterparts and partners around the world.
From an institutional perspective, having a specialized body allows the Generalitat to retain and attract talent and accumulate all the knowledge that a field as sensitive as international relations requires, providing continuity and stability to build trust. This not only reinforces the institution's prestige and credibility in the eyes of other governments and international actors, but also guarantees better support and service to the entire Catalan citizenry in the defense and promotion of their interests. This body will consolidate and improve support for the internationalization of companies, the cultural world, and the local community, while also attracting projects and investments to Catalonia. A foreign action body at the service of the common good.
And from a professional perspective, this law provides full guarantees to public employees who deploy the powers of the Generalitat and wards off the threat that has loomed over professionals dedicated to this task in recent years. Because, let's be clear, they managed to instill fear and mistrust. And yes, this insecurity was detrimental to good professional development and even hindered the retention and attraction of talent. And this is not good for anyone and is unacceptable from a democratic perspective. The law provides security and guarantees so that no foreign action public servant ever feels threatened again. Furthermore, it establishes the entire system of access by open selection and internal promotion, with the guarantees of the civil service and the specific requirements required by the force, recognizing the merits of workers who have worked in foreign action from Barcelona or from the delegations.
In short, the creation of the foreign action force should be a stimulus to build more and better international relations, fostering professionalization and talent, and improving the institution's credibility and reputation. Because if the Generalitat de Catalunya is more present and recognized worldwide, the country as a whole benefits.
