Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has said that the government has formally asked Catalonia if it had declared independence, after Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont made his first speech on Tuesday following the controversial referendum that took place on October 1.

Puigdemont said on Tuesday that millions of Catalans believe that the region should become a sovereign state, but added that Barcelona was ready to delay any declaration of independence in order to continue talks with Madrid.