Spain would NOT veto independent Scotland joining the Brussels club

SPAIN has dropped its opposition to an independent Scotland re-joining the EU.

The country had been expected to veto any potential membership application as part of its efforts to quell similar demands for independence from Catalonia, a region in northeastern Spain.

But when asked yesterday whether the Spanish government would use its veto to stop an independent Scotland joining the EU, Madrid’s foreign minister Alfonso Dastis said: ‘No, we wouldn’t.’

Mr Dastis told The Guardian: ‘ We don’t want it (Scottish independence) to happen. But if it happens legally and constitutionally, we would not block it.’ The SNP yesterday declared the remarks a boost for Scottish independence. MP Stephen Gethins described it as a ‘significant intervention’, adding: ‘EU countries want to be constructive with Scotland and will respect the democratic will of the Scottish people if we choose to be independent.’

Any prospective application to the EU can be vetoed by any member.

Spain previously suggested Scotland would be at the ‘back of the queue’ to join the EU if it achieves independence.