MOSCOW (Sputnik) — France will not recognize the independence of Catalonia if the region's authorities unilaterally decide to secede from Spain, French Minister for European Affairs Nathalie Loiseau said on Monday.
On Tuesday, Catalan parliamentarians are expected to discuss the results of the October 1 independence referendum in which over 90 percent of the over 2 million people, who participated in the vote, supported secession from Spain. Media reports suggest that during this hearing, independence may be unilaterally declared by the Catalan authorities.
"If independence is declared, and proclaimed unilaterally, it will not be recognized [by France]," Loiseau said in an interview with the French CNews broadcaster.
The French minister also noted that the recognition of Catalonia's independence would automatically mean its automatic exit from the European Union.
The day before, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy stated that the Spanish government will prevent the situation, where a unilateral declaration of independence by the country's northeastern autonomous region of Catalonia would have any outcome. He also said that the Catalan movement aimed at obtaining more autonomy for the region should be peaceful and be conducted "within the framework of treaties."
On October 1, Catalonia held the independence referendum, which is not recognized by the Spanish authorities. The official results of the vote showed that 90.18 percent, or more than 2.28 million voters, favored the secession of Catalonia from Spain, with the turnout exceeding 43 percent.
