Op 18 februari ontving minister-president Bourgeois zijn Catalaanse tegenhanger Quim Torra in het Errerahuis in Brussel.
De regeringsleiders bespraken de huidige politieke toestand in Spanje. Ook het proces tegen de twaalf Catalaanse parlementsleden en leiders van volksbewegingen, kwam uitgebreid aan bod. Minister-president Bourgeois drukte nogmaals zijn bezorgdheid uit over de kwestie.
Na de ontmoeting werd de volgende gezamenlijke verklaring bekend gemaakt:
“Today President Torra and Minister President Bourgeois, met in Brussels and discussed the actual political situation in Spain and Catalonia. President Torra informed Minister President Bourgeois about the ongoing trial in Spain and the upcoming elections. MP Bourgeois noted the tensions and regrets that the political dialogue is again off the table. Minister-president Bourgeois stated again that “political issues need to be dealt with through political solutions”. President Torra thanked minister-president Bourgeois for the “enduring support of Flanders in these difficult moments for Catalonia”.
Furthermore they discussed the long-standing cooperation between Flanders and Catalonia. They welcomed the negotiations that are nearly finished about a new work program for the future cooperation. This work program will focus on important issues regarding the new economy, innovation, ICT, the development of an industry 4.0, and cooperation in Horizon 2020 programs.”
