Madrid: The new leader of Catalonia's government, Quim Torra, says he is committed to achieving independence for the region and wants to enter into talks with new Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to end a stand-off between Barcelona and Madrid.

Nationalists regained control of Catalonia's regional government on Saturday as a new cabinet was sworn in, automatically ending just over seven months of direct rule from Madrid by Spain's central government.

The new cabinet, led by Torra, a close aide to former Catalonia leader Carles Puigdemont, took over on the same day that Sanchez was officially sworn in as new Spanish Prime Minister.

"This government is committed to moving towards an independent state in the form of a republic," Torra said.

Sanchez, 46, a Socialist, has said he wants talks on Catalonia but opposes any independence referendum.