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10:23, 20-Oct-2017
Tusk: No space for EU intervention in Catalonia
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European Council President Donald Tusk has said there is no room for EU intervention in the Catalonia crisis.
Speaking at a news conference following the first day of an EU summit on Thursday, Tusk said he doesn't expect a "wide discussion or debate" on Catalonia among the leaders.
He restated the EU's view that the crisis is an internal affair for Spain.
European Council President Donald Tusk (R) and President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker appearing at a press conference in Brussels on Thursday /Xinhua Photo
European Council President Donald Tusk (R) and President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker appearing at a press conference in Brussels on Thursday /Xinhua Photo
"We have all our own emotions, opinions, assessments, but formally speaking, there is no space for EU intervention here," he said.
The two-day EU summit kicked off as the tension between Madrid and the Catalan region seemed to reach breaking point.
Carles Puigdemont, president of the government of Catalonia /AFP Photo
Carles Puigdemont, president of the government of Catalonia /AFP Photo
Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont failed to give a clear answer to the Spanish government on whether he had declared independence on Oct. 10, before the central government's deadline of 10 a.m. (0800 GMT) on Thursday expired.
In response, Spain's cabinet will hold a special session on Saturday to approve the suspension of the Catalonia region's autonomy and impose direct rule.
President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker addressing a news briefing /Xinhua Photo
President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker addressing a news briefing /Xinhua Photo
The topics for the ongoing summit include migration, security, digital development and Brexit talks. Catalonia's situation is not on the agenda.
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Source(s): Xinhua News Agency