The ties that bind California and Europe: A perspective from Catalonia

Artur Mas, President, Catalonia

Catalonia is well known as an autonomous community of Spain, and is designated a "nation" by its Statute of Autonomy. It also has longstanding importance to the whole of Europe and even has centuries-old ties with California. Catalan explorers arrived in present-day San Diego in 1769, in many ways beginning the tale of European-California relations. Considering that California’s exports to the European Union totaled nearly $30 billion in the last three years and Europe is the leader of foreign direct investment by value in California, the ties between California and Europe remain strong. As part of an official visit to California by the president of the Government of Catalonia, His Excellency Artur Mas will speak about the development of European-California relations and discuss Catalonia’s role – past, present and future – in this process.

In December 2012, Artur Mas took office as president of the Government of Catalonia for the second time. President Mas previously served as minister of economy and finance, minister of regional policy and public works, and a member of the Barcelona Provincial Council. President Mas has also been actively involved in campaigning for Catalonia’s right to self-determination. President Mas holds a degree in economics and business administration from the University of Barcelona.