The Aran Valley has made a crucial step to bring its status into line with the provisions of the Catalan Statute of autonomy approved in 2006. Francesc Boya, Síndic of Aran (the highest and ordinary representation of the Catalan government in the Valley), presented Aran's bill on Special Regime to Jordi Ausàs, Catalan Minister of Governance and Public Administration. According to the bill, the Aran Valley will be guaranteed a higher degree of self-government, the status of national entity and a bilateral relationship with Catalonia.

Boya has said that the legal changes will "improve the welfare of the Aranese people and contribute to the recognition of Aran and Catalonia within Spain and Europe". The síndic has also been grateful for the "generosity of the Catalan people". The law must be approved by the Catalan Parliament to come into force.

According to Vilaweb, the preamble of the bill establishes that "Aran is a political community and a territorial entity in which the valley's own self-government institutions assumes the functions of the Catalan government". The bill states that "Aran cannot be included in any Catalan territorial or administrative division but its own".

Further information:

• Generalitat de Catalunya: El conseller Jordi Ausàs rep la proposta del nou règim especial per la Val d'Aran de mans del Síndic de l'Aran, Francesc Boya
• Conselh Generau d'Aran: Eth sindic d'Aran liure era naua prepausa de lei de regim especiau ath conselhèr de Governacion