Staff Reporter
PRIME Minister Mariano Rajoy has insisted that he would not accept an independent Scotland into the European Union.
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond promised Scottish nationals they would see an easy transition into the EU, but Mariano Rajoy plans to make the process as difficult as possible.
The prime minister added that if any region splits from its country, then ‘it converts itself into a third party outside the EU’.
Spain also received backing from Belgium on this, which also insisted that it would not approve Scotland’s EU application.
This refusal would make Scotland’s economically-uncertain independence all the more risky, as it would be required to implement a new currency and give up all economic support it currently receives from the EU.
The Scottish population will decide on September 18 whether or not they want independence from the rest of Great Britain.
Rajoy’s comments are also noticeably applicable to Catalunya’s bid for independence, to be voted on on November 9.
“It’s very clear to me, as it is for everybody else in the world, that a country that would obtain independence from the EU would remain outside of the EU, and that is good for Scottish citizens to know and for all EU citizens to know,” he added.
Rajoy added that he would expect UK Prime Minister David Cameron to take the same stance on Catalunya if it were to secede.
Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish deputy first minister, pointed out that the two independence movements should not be treated equally, as the Scottish independence referendum has been approved by the UK.
She noted that Rajoy has previously acknowledged that the two movements are ‘absolutely and totally different’.
How long is Spain going to put up with this idiot?
Brian: As long as he can successfully divert attention from his own misdeeds, using topics like this and, of course, Gibraltar.
Wonder how long he will have a job after the fisherman realise he is effectively reducing thier fishing ground even more
I will be glad when the 18th is over and done whatever the outcome, if as he says rajoy vetoes Scotland joining the eu, they dont get the £ then god help Scotland if they decide to go and they get president salmond, which is all he wants really.
with more and more powers passing to the EU and a vast EU Civil Service in the future there will be no need for the old Nation States boundaries to be set in stone
Spain has 29 autonomous regions these could all be administered from the EU with a Commissioner and Spain as a
Political Entity could be disolved
Will be a shame if the UK splits up like this. There is no reason why Scotland can’t do well as a small independent state like Ireland, Norway, or Belgium. Be ironic though to see Scotland outside the EU, and the England dominated rump still inside.
“Rajoy added he would expect David Cameron to do the same (veto) if Catalonia seceded”. Not a good bet since Rajoy has managed to single handily drag UK-Spanish relations to their lowest ebb since Franco. I don’t Rajoy can count on any goodwill from the UK anymore.
Hang on…..did anyone really think that Spain respected democracy?? I think not!
Cameron has stated today that if Scotland votes to seperate from the UK it automatically leaves the EU. So he is actually close to Rajoy on this.
Every body respect the right of Scotland for to derogate the Union Treaty
The UE is a club,if some one goes out it will be necessary that he ask for permision for to join in the club.
It can seem not democratic to someone, but these are the rules.