MADRID (AP) — The leader of the economically powerful Catalonia region held firm in a meeting with Spain’s prime minister on Wednesday, saying he intends to push ahead with a secession referendum in November despite the central government’s vows to stop it from happening.

After a 2 1/2 hour meeting with Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, Catalonia President Artur Mas said the referendum issue remains deadlocked. However, he said there was a willingness on both sides to keep communication channels open.