On 19 October Minister-President Geert Bourgeois received the Catalan Minister of Foreign Affairs Ernesto Maragall. The conversation was entirely devoted to the current political situation in Catalonia and Spain.
Minister Maragall regrets the decision of the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs to withdraw the diplomatic status of the Representative of the Government of Flanders in Spain. However, both ministers believe that this should not delay a new work programme to implement the Flemish-Catalan cooperation agreement.
During the meeting, great concern was also expressed about the situation of the captured Catalan politicians and social leaders. Both ministers expressed the hope that a genuine political dialogue between the Catalan and Spanish governments will be established soon.