Sturgeon says indy border checks would be ‘mitigated’
● ‘We will work to mitigate border checks after independence’ she tells Brussels
The need for border checks with England would be “mitigated” if an independent Scotland rejoined the European Union, ni cola sturgeon has claimed.
The First Minister was quizzed over border complications during a visit to Brussels yesterday as she pledged Scotland would maintain close links with the EU in the wake of Brexit.
Nicola Sturgeon has said the Scottish Government would work to “mitigate” any requirements for border checks with England if an independent Scotland was to join the European Union at some point in the future.
The First Minister visited Brussels yesterday to deliver an address to the European Policy Centre (EPC), where she pledged that Scotland would maintain close links with the EU in the wake of Brexit.
In a move which could ensure a future Scottish state’s smooth entry into the bloc of nations, the SNP leader said Scotland would “keep pace” with EU regulatory standards in devolved areas.
But pro-union campaigners said an independent Scotland risked creating a hard border with England if the rest of the UK remained outside of the EU.
In a Q&A session after her speech, Ms Sturgeon was asked about the issue of a border being created between Scotland and England in the event of separation.
She said: “It’s not independence that threatens borders – it’s Brexit that does that, and it’s the approach to Brexit that is being taken.
“[It’s] one of the reasons that I’ll continue to argue for the relationship to be as close as possible. But, obviously, when we see where the UK/ EU relationship ends up, then the Scottish Government can work out how we can mitigate that in a Scottish sense.”
In her speech, the First Minister argued that Scotland’s task now was to find a voice as an independent nation.
In the meantime, she added the Scottish Government would use its devolved powers to maintain, as far as it is able, the closest possible ties with the EU, while working towards independence. The First Minister said: “We will try to influence negotiations in a way which benefits Scotland, the UK and the EU.
“In particular, we will stress the value of having as close a trading relationship with the EU as possible.”
The comments come after a speech by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in which he said the UK would “prosper mightily” from changing statutory standards – which the EU has said could limit access to the market.
In her speech, Ms Sturgeon continued: “EU freedom of movement has given opportunities to people living in Scotland, and has encouraged new Scots to contribute to our economy and our society. One of our priorities, at present, is to support those EU citizens to stay in Scotland. And of course our businesses benefit from the single market.
“Figures last week demonstrated that over the last five years, Scotland’s sales to the EU – which account for more than half our international exports – have grown by more than four per cent a year. That’s more than twice as fast as our exports to the rest of the world.”
Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, said: “Rather than mitigate border checks, we can avoid them entirely by remaining in the UK. The reality is that Nicola Sturgeon’s plan to leave our largest trading partner and join the EU would risk a hard border.”