"Growth in Catalonia was higher than in Spain," he said. "It is a fundamental driver of the Spanish economy's recovery, but it has become a burden in the fourth quarter."
The minister attributed the slowdown in growth in the region, which provides 19 percent of Spain's GDP, to "considerable uncertainty, anxiety and loss of confidence as a result of the decisions of the previous government" separatist headed by Carles Bodjimon.
In September 2017, the three separatist parties voted on "disengagement" laws with Spain and on October 1 organized a referendum on self-determination banned by Spain and unilaterally proclaimed an independent "Catalan republic" on 27 October.
In response to this step, Madrid imposed its control over the region and placed it under its direct administration.
The president of Catalonia, who is still in jail, remains in Brussels to escape prosecution, while former vice president Oriole Gonkiras is being held in temporary custody on charges of "disobedience", "rebellion" and "misappropriation of public funds."