As Spain's Senate approved unprecedented proposals to take control of Catalonia under Article 155 of the Spanish constitution, EU President Donald Tusk said that for them, "nothing changes".
Catalonia's declaration of independence sought “open negotiation with the Spanish state” without pre-conditions, and urged the international community and European Union officials to “stop the ongoing civil and political rights violations and to follow up on the negotiating process” with Spain.
The National View: Scotland must now recognise an independent Catalonia
READ MORE: Saltires and Catalan flags are waved as tearful supporters celebrate independence
But EU President Donald Tusk retorted that “for the EU nothing changes”.
In a tweet, he said: “Spain remains our only interlocutor. I hope the Spanish government favours force of argument, not argument of force.”
WATCH: The spine-tingling moment Catalonia declares independence from Spain
READ MORE: Catalonia just declared independence
Tusk’s remarks came amid a welter of criticism on social media, with user Colin Dunn suggesting that Catalonia had made a democratic choice, and adding: “EU should, and must, recognise that, or politically it risks irrelevance.”
Other users said Catalonia had been left with no choice, and James Utterson summed up the feelings of many: “The EU is a disgrace. Sitting on its hands whilst a member country prepares to violently attack its own people.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel