Catalans should not underestimate EU support for Spain: Juncker

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has said that those wanting the independence of the Catalan region of Spain should not underestimate the support that Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has in Europe.

Speaking in an interview in the English edition of the El Pais newspaper published on Monday, Juncker admitted that "Catalonia is an enormous worry. I don't like the situation that has been created: it's a disaster."

According to Juncker, the threats were caused by populism. He said although nationalism was not exactly the same, it was still a "poison."

The EU leader said the Catalan independence referendum was "without any guarantees."

"Europe is a club of nations and I don't accept regions going against nations. Even less so outside of the law," he commented, saying that what the continent needed to do in the post-crisis environment was to "pool of all of the ambition, the talent and the energy of Europeans" rather than divide it.

The president of the EU Commission said he had never had any personal contact with former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont, but described Rajoy as "a good friend."

"I support the position of the Spanish government. And do you know why? Because I am in favor of those who respect the law," said Juncker.

"The EU is based on the rule of law, and what my Catalan friends have done is the opposite: break the law.... Catalonia, like all of Europe must respect the law," continued Juncker.

He had another strong message for Puigdemont, saying "Catalan authorities must not underestimate the ample support that Rajoy has from the rest of Europe. They would be completely wrong if they were to do so."