THE historic Celtic Alliance meeting – which saw the three devolved leaders sign an agreement to put pressure on Westminster over independence – has not been without reaction.
SNP leader John Swinney, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill signed the memorandum of understanding during a meeting in Cardiff on Monday morning.
Along with Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald, who is the leader of the opposition in the Irish Dáil, the leaders called on the UK Government to “prepare for, plan and facilitate constitutional change”.
UK media outlets, commentators and politicians have rushed to react to the meeting – with some arguing that it is the most attention the topic of independence has had since the 2014 independence referendum.
But it isn’t just the UK media – international newspapers and broadcasters have also covered it en masse.
Here is how some international outlets reported the meeting:
India Today
India Today asked whether the UK was “heading for break-up” and described it as a “landmark independence pact”.
Le Monde
French newspaper Le Monde reported on the meeting under the headline: “United Kingdom: Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish leaders assert their ‘right to self-determination’”.
It described the gathering as a “historic” meeting and reported that the three nations’ leaders said their future was “in the European Union”.
La Arena
Argentine newspaper La Arena focused on the leaders' declaration that their peoples “have the right to self-determination”.
The report said some experts had characterised the development as the “slow-motion disintegration of the United Kingdom”.
Washington Post
The US newspaper reported that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland had “join[ed] in Celtic independence push”, highlighting the call for the UK Government to prepare for constitutional change.
It also described the agreement as one which “threatens the breakup of the United Kingdom”.
Le Temps
This Swiss newspaper headlined their article: “The leaders of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are joining forces for their independence… and for closer ties with the EU.”
They also opened on the claim during the meeting that Andy Burnham would be the “last Prime Minister of the United Kingdom”
Público
This Spanish newspaper described the situation as “El tablero británico se tensa”, which translates roughly to “tensions rise on the British stage”.
