Die Jungen Europäischen Liberalen (LYMEC) haben bei ihrem derzeit in Bukarest stattfindenden Kongress eine Resolution zur Selbstbestimmung verabschiedet. Die Vorlage wurde von der Jugendorganisation der katalanischen CiU eingebracht und ruft dazu auf, Volksabstimmungen als optimale Praktik zur Lösung territorialer Streitfragen anzuerkennen. Mitgliedsstaaten seien keine starren Gebilde und eine starke EU stehe nicht im Widerspruch zum Vorhandensein unterschiedlicher Identitäten und Kulturen. An Spanien wird appelliert, dem britischen Beispiel zu folgen und Katalonien das Recht zur Abhaltung eines Referendums einzuräumen.

LYMEC ist die Jugendorganisation der europäischen Liberalen (ALDE), die im Europaparlament die drittgrößte Fraktion stellen.

Die Resolution im Wortlaut:

Considering:

• That legitimacy of democratic systems and of political institutions in the EU is based on political participation.
• Europe to be founded on the values of freedom, democracy and respect for human rights, including minorities’ rights.
• Citizens from all of Europe’s nations to have the right to express their political will by peaceful and democratic means that which must be respected.
• That the UE should stand in defense of these democratic and legitimate rights.
• The EU is an entity in constant evolution; Member States should not be seen as immobile entities.

Acknowledging:

• That some nations in Europe have not yet, for several historical reasons, achieved Statehood.
• The liberal goal of a stronger EU does not oppose the defense of different identities and cultures within it.
• The huge demonstrations lived in Catalonia, with more than 1.5 million people peacefully asking for a referendum of independence.
• That several grassroots movements claiming the right of nations such as Scotland or Catalonia to vote on their political future have gained widespread support in these countries and political parties demanding a referendum hold a clear majority in the Catalan and Scottish Parliament.
• That the UK government has agreed with the Scottish government to hold a referendum on the independence of Scotland in 2014.
• Citizens and political parties calling for the right to vote in a referendum are moved by a pro-European conviction.

Calls for:

• Recognition that voting in a referendum should stand as best practices in order to resolve territorial political conflicts.
• The Spanish government to agree with the Catalan government on the terms for a referendum of independence in Catalonia following the UK example.
• The European Commission to make any further comments on the future of new States born in Europe, based on legal terms.
• LYMEC and the EU institutions to condemn any attempt to use the judicial power against the democratic will of European citizens belonging to stateless nations and their democratically elected institutions.