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MEPs say Scotland would be welcome to join the EU
A group of 50 MEPs from across Europe have signed a letter stating that an independent Scotland would be “most welcome” to join the EU.
The cross-party group of politicians from Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Sweden, Greece, Hungary and Malta sent the letter to Holyrood’s Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh and MSPs.
In it, they stated that if Scotland votes for independence in the wake of Brexit, they would have strong support to become a full member of the European Union.
They added that the transition would be “as swift, smooth, and orderly as possible”.
The letter states: “Democracy and mutual respect are at the heart of the European project and so, whilst we are saddened by the vote of a small majority for the United Kingdom to leave the EU, we respect this as a democratic decision of UK citizens.
“We recognise that this was not your choice however and that Scotland voted strongly to remain within the EU.
“The question of Scotland’s constitutional future, and your relationships with the UK and the EU are for the people of Scotland to decide. It is not our place to tell Scotland what path you should take.”
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The letter went on: “We regret that the UK’s government has chosen to follow the path of a ‘hard Brexit’ and has so far refused to properly take into account the preferences of Scottish citizens in the withdrawal process.
“Therefore, if Scotland were to become an independent country and decided to seek to maintain European Union membership, we offer our full support to ensure the transition is as swift, smooth, and orderly as possible.
“Scotland would be most welcome as a full member of the European Union, with your five million European citizens continuing to benefit from the rights and protections we all currently enjoy.”
Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer and German Green MEP Terry Reintke were responsible for garnering signatures for their letter.
Mr Greer told The Scotsman: “With continuing uncertainty and an absolute lack of any clear plan from the UK government, what’s becoming clear is that there is a tremendous amount of goodwill from across the continent towards Scotland’s European aspirations.
“The only thing standing in Scotland’s way to forging links with Europe is the Westminster government.
“Our parliament has voted to give the people a choice over their own future and no Tory government at Westminster should stand in the way of that.”
MSPs voted by 69 to 59 in favour of seeking permission for a second independence referendum – although Prime Minister Theresa May insists that “now is not the time”.
Stephen Gethins MP, the SNP’s Europe spokesman, added: “Politicians across Europe want to engage constructively with Scotland – and if we choose to be independent, they will respect the will of the Scottish people.”
Top pic: Rex
