Spain: Catalan villages vote for independence

Early results showed that almost 95 percent of those who voted wanted Catalonia to leave Spain.

"This has been a powerful event that is going to push us toward independence," referendum campaign spokesman Uriel Beltran said.

Catalan regional elections are due by the end of 2010, and any surge in separatist sentiment would be a serious problem for the government of socialist prime minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.

Public opinion surveys have showed different results considering that Catalonia has had a high level of autonomy since 2006.

Unlike during the dictatorship of General Francisco Franco (1939-1975) when the Catalan language was forbidden, it is now the official language used in schools and government bureaus.

Three years ago Catalonians voted for the new statute which regulates relations between Catalonia and Spain and contains a preamble defining Catalonia as nation.

The statute was adopted by the parliaments of Catalonia and Spain and was signed by the King Juan Carlos.

This gave Catalonia higher judicial authorities and higher share of incomes.

Many of seven million Catalonians think that too much money is being taken from the wealthiest Spanish region and being re-directed to the poor parts of Spain, while the government in Madrid is not reciprocating with investments.

Spain is one of the EU countries which have not recognized the unilateral proclamation of Kosovo's independence and this country spoke against the ethnic Albanian proclamation during the debate about the legality of the act at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.

Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos was in Belgrade over the weekend where he spoke about peace and stability based on respect of international law, and guaranteed by dialogue and cooperation. He was awarded the title of "honorary citizen of Belgrade".