Catalonia could face international isolation if it tries to break away from Spain.

The government of the autonomous Spanish region could be less than 24 hours away from declaring its independence.

But Spain is promising to use the full force of the law to stop it.

As CNN's Nic Robertson reports, the EU is also standing in the way.

"The French Minister of European Affairs said today, if the Catalans declare independence the European Union won't recognise it."

Spain has said it'll use the full force of the law to stop Catalonia breaking away.

The Spanish government is trying to avoid extreme measures, but it is taking a firm line.

"The Catalan President might be arrested. It could mean the Spanish government here would take action against the Catalan parliament," Robertson said.