Sturgeon red-faced as EU figures dismiss the dream of an “economically weaker” Scotland | Politics | News



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Sturgeon sent a message of unity to Brussels and promised that “Scotland wants to go back” on the last day of the SNP conference on Monday. The Scottish Prime Minister’s message came as the UK moves closer to freeing itself from the last of the EU’s shackles with the Brexit transition period ending on December 31st.

But the Brussels figures have raised doubts about how a future independent Scotland could work within the EU and the prospect of a second Scottish vote.

A senior EU policy source said Express.co.uk There were many “difficult obstacles to overcome” before the concept could even be formally discussed.

They added that the “important and challenging task of independence” had to be accomplished first, especially since Boris Johnson had been “clear on a second vote.”

German MEP Gunnar Beck also told this website that it was not “immediately obvious” whether an independent Scotland would be an economic asset for the EU.

The EU lawyer added: “It would be very, very difficult for Nicola Sturgeon to get a guarantee, a promise from Brussels that if he won a referendum in Scotland, he would be guaranteed a speedy EU membership while still being free to retain their own currency. . “

However, he emphasized: “On the other hand, the EU has never been unduly concerned about the access of new economically weaker numbers because it has an imperial drive, it wants to grow.”

Beck argued that the vote for Scottish independence in 2014 was “once in a generation” and that no other vote should take place for at least another 25 years.

He said: “It is very unusual for independence referenda to be held in a constituent part of a united country at such regular intervals every 10 years and in such rapid secession.

READ MORE: Boris Caves: UK gives in on Brexit red line, Barnier tells MEPs

“For those of you who have come from other countries to live here in ours, thank you, please stay.

“To the other EU countries, Scotland wants to return. And we hope to do so soon, as an independent member state.”

Scottish Secretary of the Constitution Mike Russell also said he would not like a “middle house” between members of the European Economic Area (EEA).

Mr Russell said: “I am aware that I want Scotland to rejoin the EU and to that extent a transitional house is not what I am looking for.”

The EEA is made up of members of the EU along with Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway, through the European Free Trade Agreement (EFTA) that grants the free movement of goods, people, services and capital within member states.

Nordic Council officials also hinted that it might be beneficial for Scotland to consider joining the Bloc, the official body for formal inter-parliamentary cooperation between the Nordic countries.

Silja Dögg Gunnarsdóttir, an Icelandic politician who works as the chairman of the Nordic Council in 2020 said: “Historically, there have always been close links between the Nordic countries, Scotland and the rest of Great Britain.

“The Nordic Council will do everything in its power to ensure that this close cooperation continues.

“Despite Brexit, we want Scotland to know that it will always have friends in the Nordic countries.”



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