His statement, released on Sunday 29 October, continued:

“Any solution to the current situation must be found in the framework of the Spanish constitution, fully respecting the rule of law which is the basis of the European union. Therefore, the unilateral declaration of independence or any other adopted measure in this context is illegitimate.”

On the upcoming snap elections that the Spanish state has ordered after dissolving the regional Catalan parliament, Asselborn said:

“The 21 December elections in Catalonia should bring an inclusive and democratic solution.”