Bangladesh will not recognise the Catalan Parliament's declaration of independence and supports the constitutional measures taken by the Spanish government.

Guided by the fundamental principles of international law, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement today said, “Bangladesh views the developments in Catalonia as the internal affair of the Kingdom of Spain.”

“Bangladesh supports constitutional measures undertaken by the Spanish government to uphold national unity and territorial integrity and believe that social order would prevail by safeguarding the rights and interests of all its citizens,” the foreign ministry said a week after the Spanish region of Catalonia voted for independence.

Read more: Catalans declare independence

Bangladesh and Spain enjoy friendly bilateral relations, which continues to develop further in various fields based on shared values for the principle of mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, the statement added.

Catalonia's parliament declared independence from Spain on October 27 in defiance of the Madrid government, which at the same time was preparing to impose direct rule over the region.

Bangladesh followed US, UK, EU, France and several western countries that have supported the Spain government, and have not lent any support to Catalans.