OTTAWA: Canada rejected the Catalan regional government’s unilateral declaration of independence on Friday and urged dialogue between Madrid and the breakaway region of Spain.
“In accordance with international legal principles, these decisions must be made within the constitutional framework,” Andrew Leslie, the parliamentary secretary to Canada’s foreign affairs minister, told the Commons.
“Given this, Canada recognises a united Spain,” he said.
“A dialogue between Spain and Catalonia within the constitutional framework remains the best way forward.”
Catalan lawmakers sharply escalated the political crisis in Spain by voting to declare independence, with Madrid immediately vowing to “restore legality” and quash the region’s secessionist bid.
Canada’s reaction mirrored those of European allies who voiced support for Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.
