Exiled Catalan president Carles Puigdemont has spoken of his hopes to return home and for Catalonia to join the European Union as an independent state.

Speaking in the Republic of Ireland's capital Dublin, the separatist leader also said he wants the political conflict with Spain to be resolved “peacefully”.

Mr Puigdemont fled to Belgium in 2017 after his regional government held an unauthorised referendum on independence from Spain.

Spanish authorities took over the Catalan government for several months after a subsequent declaration of independence by the Catalan parliament received no international recognition. Some of Mr Puigdemont’s former regional cabinet are now being prosecuted for their involvment in the failed bid.

Adressing an auidence at Trinity College about the current political situation, Mr Puigdemont said: “The Catalonia proposal is profoundly pro-European. First of all it was the Catalan people who chose to become a new fully fledged state in the EU under the rules of the European Union.

Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters Show all 17 1 /17 Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters A man faces off Spanish Civil Guards outside a polling station in Sant Julia de Ramis Reuters Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters Riot police form a security cordon around the Ramon Llull school in Barcelona EPA Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters Riot police evict a young woman during clashes between people gathered outside the Ramon Llull school in Barcelona EPA Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters Spanish Civil Guard officers break through a door at a polling station in Sant Julia de Ramis Reuters Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters Spanish National Police clash with pro-referendum supporters in Barcelona on Sunday AP Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters Crowds raise their arms up as police move in on members of the public gathered outside to prevent them from voting in the referendum at a polling station where the President Carles Puigdemunt will vote later today Getty Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters People confront Spanish Civil Guard officers outside a polling station Reuters Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters Three man hold each other as they try to block a Spanish police van from approaching a polling station AP Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters A woman shows a ballot to a Spanish Civil Guard officer outside a polling station Reuters Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters A man wearing a shirt with an Estelada (Catalan separatist flag) and holding carnations faces off with a Spanish Civil Guard officer Reuters Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters Police try to control the area as people attempt to cast their ballot at a polling station in Barcelona Getty Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters A man is grabbed by officers as police move in on the crowds Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters Two women argue with a Spanish National policeman during clashes between Catalan pro-independence people and police forces at the Sant Julia de Ramis sports centre in Girona EPA Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters Sant Julia De Ramis in Spain Getty Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters Confrontation outside a polling station in Barcelona, where police have tried to stop people voting AFP/Getty Images Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters A Spanish National Police officer aims a rubber-bullet rifle at pro-referendum supporters in Barcelona AP Catalonia independence referendum: Riot police clash with voters Riot police clashed with voters as polls opened in Barcelona Sky News

“Indeed, Catalonia in general has a clear desire to be part of European project as we feel profoundly involved.

“We firmly believe in the common European project and we are convinced that we have a future together. Our country, history and culture make us more stronger and more prosperous. Catalan people hope and trust that the political conflict of our nation can be resolved peacefully without war, without violence or without winners and losers. We reject all the violence used in the last century to resolve political conflicts.”

Spain’s supreme court dropped its international arrest warrants for Mr Puigdemont in July last year. In October he launched a new separatist party called Crida Nacional (National Call) from his new base of Belgium.

He told the Dublin audience that the independence referendum was held “under extreme conditions... we endured the rage of Spain that does not want to hear our voice."

He added: “The Spanish police hit defenceless members of the public and injured over 1,000 people. The aim was to make people give up their right to vote. People overcame fear and went out to vote. We know many tried to do so unsuccessfully.”

He said that he and his former colleagues have been accused of crimes of rebellion and are facing prison sentences of up to 25 years.

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“No violence action has been carried by the people who are being prosecuted,” he added.

Mr Puigdemont held a private meeting with Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald in the Republic of Ireland. He would not, however, be drawn on whether he would support Ms McDonald’s call for a poll on the question of the Irish border following Brexit.

He said: “I want to remain very respectful considering the internal domestic decisions. It’s not my duty or goal to talk about the Irish and UK relationship or what happens if there is a hard Brexit or no-deal.

“I have my personal opinion but I insist we must, as Catalan people, respect the decision of the UK and Ireland. Brexit is a matter of British people and we as Europeans we will back Ireland of course. We will help in order to correct the negative effects in the case of hard Brexit.”