Albert Piñeira, director of the Government of Catalonia's office in Perpignan, Northern Catalonia, has completed his first year in the role, expressing satisfaction with progress in strengthening cross-border cooperation and promoting Catalan language and culture. Appointed a year ago, Piñeira has focused on fostering institutional relations and cultural initiatives in the region.
Piñeira clarified that the Perpignan office, known as the Casa de la Generalitat, holds a unique position distinct from other external delegations of the Generalitat. Unlike offices that report to the Department of European Union and External Action, the Casa de la Generalitat falls under the Department of the Presidency. This structure reflects its purpose in a "shared territory" with deep commonalities in language, culture, identity, and socio-economic space, rather than representing Catalonia in a distant foreign country.
He highlighted the successful reintroduction of Catalan language courses and the forging of new alliances, particularly between Northern Catalonia and the Girona region, in cultural and linguistic fields. Piñeira stressed that this cooperative spirit should extend beyond culture and language to encompass areas such as sports, mobility, energy, education, and the economy, aiming for comprehensive cross-border integration.
Boosting Cross-Border Projects
Piñeira, who served as mayor of Puigcerdà in Baixa Cerdanya from 2011 to 2023, is a firm proponent of cross-border initiatives. He championed the Cerdanya Hospital, which stands as the European Union's only cross-border hospital, providing healthcare services to communities on both sides of the border. For the Cerdanya region, he explained, the concept of cross-border collaboration is deeply embedded in its "DNA". He cited other long-standing shared infrastructures, including an abattoir in Ur, a joint water treatment plant, and the 19th-century international canal that supplies water to the area.
Beyond infrastructure, the region benefits from shared festivals and school exchange programmes, further cementing cross-border ties. Piñeira also noted the existence of a shared consortium between Puigcerdà Town Council and La Guingueta d'Ix, facilitating cooperation in water management, culture, education, and healthcare. Public transport services from the Occitanie region also include stops in Puigcerdà, demonstrating practical integration. Piñeira asserted that "necessity, willingness, and conviction" drive this cooperation, particularly when there is a shared understanding of a common territory.
The Politics of Agreement
Piñeira recounted his appointment by Socialist minister Albert Dalmau, reflecting on Catalonia's diverse political landscape. He believes that a plurality of perspectives enriches governance, stating that he sought differing viewpoints even from his own deputy mayor during his time in Puigcerdà. A self-identified republican and Catalanist, Piñeira champions the "politics of agreement," where common projects and public policies are forged through consensus, even from differing starting positions. He highlighted his practice of negotiating municipal budgets with the opposition, despite holding an absolute majority, to achieve better outcomes.
The director acknowledged that the work of the Casa de la Generalitat requires "constancy and tenacity" due to the inherent challenges of navigating different administrative divisions, legal frameworks, and customs. He underscored the Government of Catalonia's commitment to supporting the Catalan language in Northern Catalonia, noting that the annual cost of employing a Catalan teacher is approximately €54,000 to €55,000. Piñeira believes that demonstrating the tangible benefits of European cooperation, such as the equal cost of a phone call from Perpignan to Barcelona as to a neighbour in Puigcerdà, is more effective in convincing people of the European Union's importance than discussing international treaties.
Piñeira expressed satisfaction with the current government, describing it as "demanding in its work" and providing strong support for the office's mission. He chose not to dwell on the controversial tenure of his predecessor, Christopher Daniel Person, stating that it is "time to turn the page" and focus on the present and future of the Casa de la Generalitat.
Looking Ahead: Catalan Cross-Border Space
Looking ahead, Piñeira highlighted the Espai Català Transfronterer (EsCaT), or Catalan Cross-Border Space, as a key initiative. This project aims to foster comprehensive cooperation between Northern Catalonia, the Pyrénées-Orientales department (which includes Fenouillèdes, an Occitan-speaking area), and the Girona region. The initiative involves collaboration with institutions such as the University of Perpignan, local chambers of commerce, and schools, with the goal of building a unified territorial reality that transcends state-imposed mental frameworks. Piñeira stressed the importance of a broad perspective and the capacity to overcome traditional borders to achieve shared progress.
