Spain, Catalonia still 'far apart' on independence as talks resume

Catalonia's regional President Pere Aragones walks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at Palau de la Generalitat in Barcelona, Spain, September 15, 2021. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Spain's prime minister and Catalonia's regional leader said their positions on independence remained "very far apart," after restarting talks on Wednesday aimed at improving ties damaged by the northeastern's region failed 2017 separatist bid.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said his visit to Barcelona and the reopening of a dialogue sent a powerful message that his government wants to improve relations, although he insisted that a flexible time frame was needed to reach any agreement as he laid out over 40 issues of potential accord.