Why is Catalonia different for the EU?

» Eoin Ó Murchú

Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia refused to allow referenda before declaring they were seceding from the Soviet Union

THE EU is currently condemning secessionists in its various member states.

Worth remembering though that at least eight of the current EU members seceded (some legally, others not) from bigger states.

Ireland had to fight to win secession from Britain as British declared it illegal.

Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia refused to allow referenda before declaring they were seceding from the Soviet Union.

Equally, Slovenia and Croatia seceded form Yugoslavia without going through the required legal and constitutional procedure.

Only the Czech Republic and Slovakia peacefully separated after Slovak referendum backed secession from Czechoslovakia.

The EU also recognises Kosovo as a separate state even though its secession from Serbia is illegal under the laws and constitution of that country.

But even Britain now accepts that Scotland has the right to secede if a majority vote for it.

Why is Catalonia different?