US voices support for Spanish unity

The United States said on Friday that Catalonia is an integral part of Spain and it supported Madrid's efforts to keep the country united after Catalan lawmakers voted to declare independence, Global Times reports.

"Catalonia is an integral part of Spain, and the United States supports the Spanish government's constitutional measures to keep Spain strong and united," US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement. 

The announcement came shortly after Catalan lawmakers voted Friday to secede from Spain, with 70 ballots in favor of independence, 10 against and two blank ballots in the 135-member regional parliament. 

Shortly afterward, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy described the decision taken by the Catalan Parliament as "a crime."