The Xavier Batalla Memorial hosts a round table on the new global disorder

A round table titled "Global Disorder: How to Address the Current Geopolitical Landscape" took place yesterday in Barcelona. The event, organized by the Xavier Batalla Memorial in collaboration with Catalonia International, also received support from the Catalan Association of Journalists and the Barcelona City Council.

Journalist Teresa Turiera-Puigbò moderated the discussion, which featured Jaume Duch i Guillot, Minister for European Union and Foreign Action of the Government of Catalonia; Marc Marginedas Izquierdo, former Moscow correspondent for El Periódico de Catalunya; and Xesco Reverter Baquer, journalist in the International News Department of 3CatInfo. Laura Foraster i Lloret, Director-General of Catalonia International, also attended the event.

The debate addressed many current challenges in the global geopolitical situation. The Catalan Minister highlighted the global decline of democracy and the rise of autocratic regimes, and viewed the United States' willingness to withdraw its support in security and defense matters from the European Union as an opportunity for the EU to distance itself and gain strategic autonomy.

For his part, Xesco Reverter spoke about the war in Ukraine, the EU's reluctance to confront the United States in any conflict-such as the current one involving Iran-and the divergence of interests between the United States and Israel. According to him, all these issues could contribute to weakening the role of the United Nations. Finally, Marc Marginedas pointed out the paradox that, ultimately, Trump and Putin reinforce each other and depend on one another for their respective political successes. They also share many interests, such as the desire for both the EU and the UN to have limited power so they can assume greater control themselves-provided China allows it.

Members of the audience asked questions reflecting concern about the current European and global situation, the weakening of pro-European sentiment, the dangers of disinformation, and possible scenarios in the evolution of ongoing conflicts.

The Xavier Batalla Memorial is an initiative by family members and professional colleagues of one of the foremost specialists in international relations in Catalonia. Xavier Batalla, who passed away in 2012, wrote for El Correo Catalán, Diari de Barcelona and El País, among other outlets. Most of his journalistic career, however, was spent at La Vanguardia. In 1986, he became its correspondent in London before taking on the role of diplomatic correspondent, covering numerous international events such as U.S. elections, conflicts in the Middle East, the fall of the communist bloc in Eastern Europe, and South Africa's transition to democracy.