EU keeps mum on Catalonia

The EU has continued to bat away questions from journalists about the crisis in Catalonia, as a spokesperson on Friday declined to be drawn on recent events, including the flight of ousted president Carles Puigdemont to Belgium.

The Commission denied to say if European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker would discuss the issue with Spanish officials during a visit next week.

“It is a judiciary issue, for the judicial authorities. The judicial authorities are independent. We respect that independence,” said Annilka Breidthardt, a spokeswoman.

“We fully respect the constitutional order of Spain,” she added.

Spanish prosecutors have requested a European Arrest Warrant for Puigdemont’s arrest, but it is as yet unclear whether a Spanish court will go ahead with the procedure.

Meanwhile, in Barcelona on Friday, pro-independence supporters held protests against the detention of eight sacked Catalan officials.