Spain to extend 120 mln euros to Catalonia right now

Spain's government will ''imminently'' advance 120 million euros to Catalonia so the autonomous region can pay its civil servants, Catalan People's Party (PP) leader Alicia Sanchez Camacho told Televisio de Catalunya's TV3 channel on Tuesday. Catalonia's Economics minister, Andreu Mas-Colell, on Monday called on Spain to extend the region a bridge loan to ensure cash flow ahead of the activation of its liquidity fund. Catalonia has requested 5.02 billion euros from that fund to cover maturing debt and other payments. ''The region will receive all the aid it requires,'' Camacho said. Premier Mariano Rajoy's administration will economically and financially support Catalonia and the rest of the autonomous regions, Camacho said.