Catalan President criticizes King Felipe VI
Catalan government head Quim Torra has written to King Felipe VI, in which he requested a meeting this Friday.
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In Tarragona on June 22 the opening ceremony of the Mediterranean Games will take place, where the head of state will be present.
On Wednesday, Torra informed the Catalan Parliament that he had sent the king a letter signed by him, as well as by two former presidents — Carles Puigdemont and Artur Mas.
"I am sure that we will be able to find time during your visit to Catalonia this Friday to meet," the postscript of this letter reads.
According to Catalan politicians, "a willingness to dialogue is the minimum requirement to maintain a respectful relationship with the respective institutions".
The Royal Family has yet to respond to requests for a personal meeting.
In the letter, Torra, Mac and Puigdemont reiterated that the Catalan people want to determine the future of the region themselves and called on the head of state to "listen to the cry of democracy" and "respect their will and aspirations".
The letter contains criticism of the king for his statement on 3 October following the illegal referendum in Catalonia, which, in the politicians' view, "reopened the wounds of many citizens who never thought that the head of state would support violent police repression against completely innocent peaceful citizens".
