Spain parties unite against 'separatists'

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said Friday the nation's main parties have reached an agreement to defend national unity as an independence drive in the wealthy region of Catalonia gets into higher gear.

"The fundamentals of the agreement are done," he told a news conference after meeting opposition leaders to build a united response to a plan from Catalonia's ruling separatists to launch a process that would lead to full independence from Spain within 18 months.

Pro-independence parties announced Tuesday they would pass a resolution early next month in the regional Catalan parliament calling on the chamber to announce the formal start of secession from Spain and the formation of a new republican state within 18 months.

The motion calls on the regional assembly to start working on legislation within 30 days to create a separate social security system and treasury.

It also says the process would not be subject to decisions made by the Spanish institutions, including the Constitutional Court.

No date has yet been set for the Catalan assembly to vote on the motion.

Catalans' longstanding demands for greater autonomy have intensified in recent years, in tandem with the country's economic crisis.

The region of 7.5 million people has it its own widely spoken language and distinct culture.