European politicians offer ‘full support’ over EU

A group of 50 politicians from across Europe has signed a letter stating that an independent Scotland would be “most welcome” as a full member of the European Union.

In the letter – initiated by Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer and German Green MEP Terry Reintke – to MSPs and Holyrood’s Presiding Officer, Ken Macintosh, the signatories pledge their support in ensuring the transition to membership is “as swift, smooth, and orderly as possible”.

The group includes parliamentarians from Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Sweden, Greece, Hungary and Malta. They state: “Democracy and mutual respect are at the heart of the European project and so, whilst we are saddened by the vote of a small majority for the United Kingdom to leave the EU, we respect this as a democratic decision of UK citizens.

“We recognise that this was not your choice, however, and that Scotland voted strongly to remain within the EU. The question of Scotland’s constitutional future, and your relationships with the UK and the EU are for the people of Scotland to decide. It is not our place to tell Scotland what path you should take.

“We regret that the UK’s government has chosen to follow the path of a ‘hard Brexit’ and has so far refused to properly take into account the preferences of Scottish citizens in the withdrawal process. Therefore, if Scotland were to become an independent country and decided to seek to maintain European Union membership, we offer our full support to ensure the transition is as swift, smooth, and orderly as possible.

“Scotland would be most welcome as a full member of the European Union, with your five million European citizens continuing to benefit from the rights and protections we all currently enjoy.”