Spain’s Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy has offered to hold talks with Catalonia, but did not suggest the possibility of a referendum on independence.
Writing to the head of the regional government, Artur Mas, just days after hundreds of thousands of Catalans demonstrated for independence, Rajoy said:
"I am convinced of the exceptional relevance of Catalonia for Spain and of the richness, plurality and singularity of the Catalan society,"
"I also believe that our ties cannot be broken without huge ...economic, political and social costs."
"And, of course, I also want to pass on the strong belief of my government that we need to work together to strengthen these ties and move away from confrontation,"
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