(11.11.2013) This morning the president of the Government of Catalonia, Artur Mas, reiterated that „Israel is a strategic country for Catalonia in many ways“ and that the government‘s aim with this trip is to „strengthen our cooperation and maintain the good relations between the two countries“ since diplomatic relations were restored in 1986. “Israel is a country Catalonia should interact with in the best possible conditions“ Mas declared, and „we, having cooperated together for years, wish not to abandon this relationship, we want to emphasise it“.