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The UK left the bloc on January 31, and the transition period will also come to an end in less than a month. It is a new chapter in the country’s national history and should see the UK revert to being an independent sovereign state. However, not everyone in the UK has renounced their membership in the EU.
Despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson repeatedly rejecting her calls for independence, Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon is determined to hold a second referendum in the spring of 2021.
The SNP leader believes the Scots are being “dragged” out of the bloc against their will.
However, while Brexit might have strengthened the case for Scottish independence, it has also made it virtually more difficult.
If Scotland were to become independent, it would border a non-EU country, likely requiring infrastructure and border controls between regions whose communities are deeply intertwined, similar to the Irish border issue that severely complicated the Brexit negotiations.
Scotland could also be shunned by Brussels because of its current deficit of seven percent of GDP, unless it adopts a strict EU austerity program and potentially accepts the euro.
Furthermore, new members can only enter the bloc by a unanimous vote of the existing member states, and Holyrood would undoubtedly be angry if they joined.
Spain is struggling with Catalonia’s demands for secession, which means the country could be discouraged from supporting a new independent state.
In an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk, Italian MEP Marco Campomenosi reiterated that the chances of an independent Scotland joining the EU are very low.
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The former Foreign Secretary and co-director of the SDP said: “I think we should start moving towards a different attitude towards Scotland.
“If they really want to leave, eventually, they must be allowed to leave.
“But they have to face reality and have a proper and honest debate.
“Will they be allowed to enter the EU?
“Will it be Spain? With all the problems they face in Barcelona …
“You know, there are five European countries that still do not allow Kosovo to become independent. They are afraid of legitimizing the separation of countries.”
The pair added: “And let’s not forget Belgium.
“They sit in a very uncomfortable agreement between two parts of Belgium and they are not going to legitimize the division of a country.
“Once you allow it, you open a can of worms.”
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