Moscow hopes crisis in Spain over Catalonia will be solved through dialogue
The Russian Foreign Ministry views the events in Catalonia as Spain’s domestic affair
MOSCOW, October 11. /TASS/. Russia views the events in Catalonia as Spain’s domestic affairs and expects that the situation will be solved in the framework of the Spanish law with ensuring the guarantees of rights and freedoms of all citizens, the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
"The Russian Foreign Ministry, which is guided by the fundamental principles of the international law, views the events in Catalonia as Spain’s domestic affairs. We express hope that the situation will be solved through dialogue strictly in line with Spain’s law and in the interests of a united and prosperous Spain with ensuring the guarantees of rights and freedoms of all citizens of the country," the ministry said.
On Tuesday, the authorities signed an official declaration of independence. The document, however, is yet to enter force. Catalonia’s leadership believes that the declaration will be put to the parliamentary vote if the talks between Barcelona and Madrid on peaceful settlement of the crisis fail.
According to the Catalan government, as many as 90.18% of voters supported the idea of Catalonia’s independence at a referendum on October 1. In all, 2.28 million Catalans, or 43% out of 5.3 million eligible voters, took part in the referendum. The Spanish authorities however regard this referendum illegal and refuse to recognize its results.