国际英语新闻:Tusk rules out EU intervention in Catalonia

BRUSSELS, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- European Council President Donald Tusk on Thursday ruled out EU intervention in the Catalonia situation, stressing that there is "no space" for the bloc to do that.

Speaking at a press conference following the EU summit's first-day meeting, Tusk said he didn't expect a "wide discussion or debate" on the Catalonia situation.

"We have all our own emotions, opinions, assessments, but formally speaking, there is no space for EU intervention here," he stressed.

The two-day EU summit kicked off on Thursday as the tension between Madrid and the Catalan region seemed to reach breaking point.

Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont failed to give a clear answer to the Spanish government on whether he had declared independence on Oct. 10, before the government deadline of 10:00 a.m. (0800 GMT) on Thursday expired.

In response, Spain's cabinet will hold a special session Saturday to approve the suspension of Catalonia region's autonomy, and impose the central rule.

The topics for the ongoing summit include migration, security, digital development, and Brexit talks. Catalonia's situation is not on the agenda of the summit.