ABSTRACT
In an international society based on the juxtaposition of state sovereignties and devoid of higher authorities, recognition is a fundamental concept for clarifying the effects of inter-State relations. It is clear that, aside from the political issues that accompany it, recognition of States is of great importance within the framework of accession to statehood, especially in the context of new secessionist challenges such as those posed by Catalonia. Many scholars affirm the existence of such an obligation not to recognise unlawfully created entities as States. Of vital legal significance is the adoption of a decision by a body of an international organisation urging its Member States not to recognise a secessionist entity as a State. It is of great importance to analyse the role and legal consequences of recognition in the process of State creation in international law, focusing specifically on the case of State proclamation by secessionist movements such as in Catalonia.
