‘EU would welcome an indy Scotland – but currency is going to be the main problem’
Sylvie Bermann was the French ambassador to the UK during Brexit. She spent an evening with our Writer at Large in Glasgow discussing Scottish independence, the UK leaving Europe, what she really thinks of Boris Johnson and Nicola Sturgeon, and the man she got to know while posted to Moscow: Vladimir Putin
SYLVIE Bermann clearly relishes her newfound liberty. Throughout her career, as one of the world’s leading diplomats, she’s been a model of tight-lipped reserve. Now, though, the former French ambassador to Britain at the time of Brexit is letting the world know precisely what she thinks about Boris Johnson, Vladimir Putin, the UK’s decision to leave the EU, Nicola Sturgeon, and Scottish independence.
I spent last Sunday with Bermann, hosting her at Glasgow’s Aye Write literary festival where she unveiled her new book, Au Revoir Britannia, an account of the Brexit years from a French perspective.
Prior to her UK posting, Bermann was French ambassador to China. After London, she was French ambassador to Russia between 2017 and 2019, where she got to know Vladimir Putin. Bermann spoke at length to The Herald on Sunday both before, during and after her Glasgow appearance, and subsequently corresponded providing additional insight into her take on world events.
Scotland and Europe
HOW would the EU react to an independent Scotland wanting to join? “We’ll welcome it,” Bermann said. “It was more difficult during the referendum on independence because of the reaction of Spain [due to the issue of Catalan independence]. So at that time maybe it wouldn’t have been so popular but I think the situation has changed because there’s been Brexit.”
As Scotland would be joining the EU as a new country, Bermann said: “Probably there would be some negotiation, but [Scotland joining the EU] would be good for Europe. There’s no reason why if there’s this referendum which is accepted that we shouldn’t want to have Scotland – we’ll be very happy.”
Would joining be an easy process? “The problem – but it’s your problem not the problem of the EU – is the pound versus the euro. The euro isn’t an obligation, of course, but if you keep the pound, what’s your relationship with the UK?
“That may put pressure on Scotland. It’s the main problem.”
Bermann added “there are countries which don’t use the euro for the time being … It doesn’t mean that Scotland would have necessarily to adopt the euro but there should be agreement with the Bank of England if Scotland keeps the pound.”
She said: “There would be some other negotiations but they should be quicker … some procedural issue concerning the ‘acquis communautaire’. But it shouldn’t be too problematic.”
“Acquis communautaire” means “the body of European Union laws”.
Would independence create an intractable border problem as Brexit did in Northern Ireland? “Intractable, I don’t know,” Bermann said, “but if you’re a member of the EU, then there’s a new border with England … It’s just to protect the common market, it’s not punishment.” Would the Tory Party be hostile to an independent Scotland? “It depends on what kind of Tories you’re referring to. The