Antonio Tajani says Catalonia’s independence referendum was illegal and state of law should be restored. He also spoke against EU mediation, saying the crisis is an internal Spanish issue, AP reported.

Catalonia’s separatist leader on Saturday called on Catalans to peacefully oppose Spain’s takeover.

The European Parliament’s president says that Spain’s decision to call a new election in Catalonia after the region’s unilateral declaration of independence “was the right thing to do.”

Antonio Tajani spoke to reporters Saturday while leaving the Vatican after a forum on Europe’s future.

Tajani said that Europe’s position is very clear: “No one will ever recognize Catalonia as an independent country. The referendum was illegal … The state of law should be restored.”

He said that the election will allow Catalans to “decide what kind of government they want to have. All should happen according to the Spanish Constitution.”

Tajani added that Europe hopes that dialogue can help resolve the “difficult situation,” adding “this does not mean that European Union could mediate, because it is a Spanish internal issue.”