The US State Department, reacting to Spanish efforts to block a Catalan independence bid, said on Friday that Catalonia is an integral part of Spain and Washington backs Madrid's efforts to keep the country united, The New York Times reported.

"Catalonia is an integral part of Spain, and the United States supports the Spanish government’s constitutional measures to keep Spain strong and united," US State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a statement.

Source: MENA