The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is prepared to build a platform for dialogue between the Spanish government and Catalan authorities, according to an announcement made by Swiss public radio broadcaster RTS this Friday.

Members of Switzerland’s government have stated that they are in contact with both parties, refusing to comment on the progress of negotiations so as not to compromise the process.

Despite Switzerland’s offer of mediation, Spanish president Mariano Rajoy remains steadfast in his refusal to set up a dialogue with the Catalan government. “We will not deal with those who blackmail the state in such a brutal way,” Rajoy said.

With this in mind, MEP Esteban González Pons, Vice President of the European People's Party highlighted during a debate on Catalonia in the European Parliament, that it “is up to Spain to talk with Spain,” remarking that there is no need for mediators.