Catalonia’s regional parliament approved the region’s Independence on Friday in Barcelona and the separation from Spain at a vote without the main parties that opposed the proposal, which abandoned the chamber minutes before the vote.

Asked about the consequences of the Catalan parliament’s decision would have on Europe, António Costa said it would have “none”.

He said it had no international validity, was not recognised by the European Union (EU) or any EU country. What was important, he added was to ensure that Spain maintained the rule of law.

The prime minister was speaking to reporters after visiting an animal food distribution logistics base for farmers affected by the fires that broke out on 15 October.