Scottish government 'respects Catalan position'
27 October 2017
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Pro-independence crowds in BarcelonaImage copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Image caption
Huge crowds of pro-independence supporters have gathered in Barcelona
The Scottish government has said it "respects and understands" the position of the Catalan government, which has declared independence from Spain.
In a statement, External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop did not explicitly recognise Catalonia as an independent state.
But she said the people of Catalonia "must have the ability to determine their own future".
And she called for a "process of dialogue" to resolve the crisis.
It came after Catalan MPs voted to declare independence from Spain by 70 to 10 in a ballot boycotted by the opposition.
In response, the Spanish parliament approved direct rule over the region.
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Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy had told senators direct rule was needed to return "law, democracy and stability" to Catalonia.
He added: "Spain is a serious country, it is a great nation and we are not prepared in any way to allow some people to liquidate our constitution."
Downing Street has said the UK will not recognise the declaration of independence - a stance mirrored by major powers including France, Germany and the US, and by the EU itself.
European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said the EU "doesn't need any more cracks, more splits".


Media captionThe moment Catalan parliament declared independence
Crowds have been celebrating the declaration of independence and Spanish flags have been removed from some regional government buildings in Catalonia.
The crisis began earlier this month when Catalonia held a controversial referendum on independence, which had been ruled illegal by Spain's constitutional court.
In her statement, Ms Hyslop said: "We understand and respect the position of the Catalan government.
"While Spain has the right to oppose independence, the people of Catalonia must have the ability to determine their own future.
"Today's Declaration of Independence came about only after repeated calls for dialogue were refused."
Mariano RajoyImage copyrightEPA
Image caption
Mariano Rajoy's government has imposed direct rule on Catalonia
Ms Hyslop called on those who "consider themselves friends and allies of Spain" to encourage talks between the two sides to find a way forward that "respects democracy and the rule of law".
She said the imposition of direct role "cannot be the solution and should be of concern to democrats everywhere."
And she said the EU had "political and moral responsibility" to help identify a way of resolving the situation peacefully and democratically.
Her statement was released as a spokesman for the UK prime minister said the country "does not and will not recognise the unilateral declaration of independence made by the Catalan regional parliament".
'Rule of law'
The spokesman added: "We continue to want to see the rule of law upheld, the Spanish constitution respected, and Spanish unity preserved."
The Catalan independence movement has had close links with its Scottish counterpart since the 2014 independence referendum in Scotland.
Several prominent SNP figures were in Barcelona for the Catalan referendum, which saw hundreds of people injured as Spanish police tried to prevent the vote taking place.
How did we get here?
The Catalan government said that of the 43% of potential voters who took part in the referendum on 1 October, 90% were in favour of independence.
After the referendum, Catalan President Carles Puigdemont signed a declaration of independence but delayed implementation to allow talks with the Spanish government.
A deadline set by Madrid for him to clarify his intentions came and went, prompting Mr Rajoy to announce plans to impose direct rule.
Catalonia is one of Spain's richest, most distinctive regions and enjoys a high degree of autonomy.
But many Catalans feel they pay more to Madrid than they get back, and there are historical grievances too, in particular Catalonia's treatment under the dictatorship of General Franco.
Catalans are divided on the question of independence - an opinion poll earlier this year said 41% were in favour and 49% were opposed to independence.

Next IPOB would hail Catalan position.

Of course they'd respect it, they themselves are in a similar kettle of fish and they'd like to leave whenever they are tired of the UK system

we the people of Kurdistan the hail.

It's the year of cessations walls trump etc
Africa should be smart we should not skip phases go through every phase it all serves different purposes.
the colonial masters who made countries as we know them today also came up with EU, free trade zones, visa free travel, one currency for almost all of Europe, free education for all eu citizens in almost all eu countries, welfare systems etc we as africans should pass through that phase before we start ceceeding and erecting walls we as africans africa should be our target market not usa it will be difficult to compete against europeans in europe so africa should try one currency system, free trade zone and visa free travels to try and boast trade, tourism etc but our leaders don't have sense so...

Some people will not like this.