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The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, yesterday asked for Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy to this morning explain, in the second day of the European Council meeting, the situation that has been created in Spain with the conflict over Catalonia; Rajoy refused. The request came during an informal dinner between the European leaders, which they attended without advisers, it has emerged today. It follows the growing interest and concern that Catalonia has raised in recent days among diplomats and the press.

Rajoy argued that he didn't want to discuss the topic in an international body, because he maintains that it is an internal Spanish matter which he doesn't want to "externalise". Certain sources suggest that the president of the Council, Donald Tusk, supported Rajoy's position.

The European Council chamber has revealed for the first time cracks in the EU's support for Rajoy, with Belgium and Luxembourg criticising the Spanish government's handling of the conflict. The majority of the EU, however, including Germany and France, continues to support the status quo represented by the Rajoy and his executive.

Mariano Rajoy talks with Spanish European Affairs minister, Jorge Toledo, and ambassador Pablo García-Berdoy. Sitting is Belgian prime minister, Charles Michel.