Macron reiterates "full support" to Spanish PM after Catalonian vote of independence
Xinhua
1509182912000

French President Emmanuel Macron (L) welcomes Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy Brey at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France on Aug. 28, 2017. (Xinhua)

French President Emmanuel Macron on October 27 said Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy was his only interlocutor in Spain, reiterating Paris' full support to the Spanish government after the Catalonian region unilaterally declared independence from Madrid.

"There is a rule of law in Spain, with constitutional rules. Rajoy wants to enforce them and he has my full support," Macron told French press on Friday in French Guiana, where he makes a two-day visit.

In a separate statement, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said France "won't recognize the declaration of independence that the Catalan parliament has adopted."

Expressing concern about the situation in the Spanish region, Le Drian added "the constitution in Spain must be respected. It is therefore within this framework, which is that of the rule of law, that the question of Catalonia must be considered."

Earlier on Friday, the Catalan regional assembly declared "the formation of a Catalan Republic as an independent and sovereign state with social and democratic rights."

On Oct. 1, Spain's northern region of Catalonia, led by a regional government, held a referendum over independence which Madrid said was illegal.