Catalan declaration of independence not in accordance with Spanish constitution: Croatian FM

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Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday that the Catalan declaration of independence is not in accordance with the Spanish constitution.

“Croatia believes that the best solution is the one that is based on dialogue, and with a full respect for the rule of law and the protection of the rights of all citizens who live in Catalonia,” the Foreign Ministry said in a press release.

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic also said on Friday that the dispute between Catalonia and Madrid should be resolved within a dialogue and the frameworks of the Spanish constitution, Croatian news agency Hina reported on Saturday.

He emphasized that Catalan’s declaration of independence on Friday was made in the moment when only half of deputies were present in the parliament, while others didn’t take part in the voting.

“We have clearly stated on several occasions that we want to see relations between Catalonia and Madrid resolved within dialogue, Spain‘s the constitutional and legal framework. We don’t want violence, we want dialogue,” Plenkovic told Croatian media.

The Spanish government stripped the region of its autonomy after its controversial independence vote in parliament Friday, effectively taking charge of its government.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced the dissolution of the regional parliament and the removal of the Catalan leader, with an official state bulletin handing control of Catalonia to Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria.

Snap elections were called in the region, which also saw its most senior police officials dismissed and demonstrations for and against independence running on into the night.