Posted on July 5, 2020 by admin

of ‘A former president of the European Council has stated he believes Brexit has changed EU mindsets to Scottish self-reliance.

In a BBC interview, Herman Van Rompuy said there was now “a lot more sympathy” for European regions looking for EU subscription.

Mr Van Rompuy said the procedure of joining the EU was “complicated”.

Nevertheless he mentioned an application from Scotland would require to be “extremely seriously” thought about.

The UK federal government does not support Scottish federal government requires another self-reliance referendum.

On 18 September, it will be 5 years given that Scotland voted 55% to 45% versus winding up being an independent nation.

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At that time, SNP leaders stated it was a “as quickly as in a generation” referendum but they have considering that argued that Brexit basically modifies the circumstances.

This is since the 2016 EU referendum saw the UK as a whole vote to leave, while Scottish citizens backed stay by 62% to 38%.

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Scotland voted 55% to 45% versus winding up being an independent country in September 2014

Mr Van Rompuy stated that the UK’s choice to leave the EU had certainly transformed European mindsets to Scottish self-reliance.

He stated: “I think there is a modification, yes, due to the truth that for a lot of individuals they are looking at what Scottish people stay in favour of.

“They want to remain in the European Union and at the exact same time they are avoided to stay in the European Union.”

The Scottish federal government’s Brexit Secretary, Mike Russell, mentioned the remarks were “welcome” and that an independent Scotland had a “strong contribution” to make to the EU.

However, The Scottish Secretary in the UK federal government, Alister Jack, said Scotland was “much better served” in the UK, rather of signing up with the EU and “giving away” democratic and fishing rights.

Image copyright EMMANUEL DUNAND/Getty Images Image caption Mr Van Rompuy stated there was more empathy for areas of a country that wished to sign up with the EU

Mr Van Rompuy stated there was not much compassion for Brexit in the EU amongst politicians or the man or woman in the street.He consisted of:”

There is a lot more compassion for regions – parts of a country – that want to sign up with the European Union.”

Political dimension

Mr Van Rompuy – who chaired EU tops in between 2009 and 2014 prior to turning over to Donald Tusk – mentioned any indyref2 needs to be accepted the UK.

If there was a Yes vote in a referendum that was “constitutional” he specified Scotland would have a “legal case”.

“Then, certainly the result requires to be thought about by the European Union really seriously,” he stated.

Nevertheless Mr Van Rompuy explained there was likewise a political dimension – which all 27 EU countries would have to consent.

He stated: “There is no automaticity, there are standards to be appreciated and we have all to settle on a new prospect.”

Mr Van Rompuy said there were still “doubts” about Scottish self-reliance in Spain, which is fretted about Catalonia breaking away.

He included: “It is a complex process. Even leaving the UK is a complicated treatment – as made complex as Britain leaving the European Union.”

Image copyright Reuters Image caption Mr Van Rompuy said the scenario in Scotland was very numerous to the one in Catalonia

As a former prime minister of Belgium, which has a Flemish nationalist movement, he is not personally enthusiastic about the UK breaking up.

“I battled all my life versus separatism in my own country, so do not ask me to applaud when this would happen,” he stated.

Mr Van Rompuy has actually previously cautioned that leaving the EU without a deal would position an “existential risk” to the UK.

In his BBC Scotland interview, he stated UK politicians “take threats not simply for the prosperity of the British individuals but similarly for the unity of the UK”.

Unique treatment

Alister Jack, the Scottish Secretary, said: “I would state Scotland’s location is better served remaining in the United Kingdom rather than leaving the UK, signing up with the EU and distributing both democratic rights and likewise our seaside fisheries which will be of great value to us”.

Nonetheless, the Scottish federal government’s Brexit Secretary Mike Russell stated: “There is clearly genuine sympathy and understanding for Scotland’s position in Europe, especially offered the hard-line anti-EU position of the UK federal government.”

The European Policy Centre think-tank, of which Mr Van Rompuy is president, just recently released an analysis on independent Scottish subscription of the EU.

It concluded that the EU needs to “engage favorably” with Scotland in case of self-reliance, if there had actually been a correctly constituted referendum.

But it specified Scotland may not expect “special treatment” and that the Scottish federal government would need to accept all the responsibilities of membership, including concurring in principle to join the euro.

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Media captionHas Brexit changed opinions on Scottish independence?The paper was produced by the centre’s chief executive, Fabian Zuleeg, who also functions as an expert to the Scottish government on Europe.

He notes that the EU institutions were “rather undesirable” towards Scottish self-reliance in 2014, partly due to issues about motivating secessionist movements in other EU countries.

At that time, the president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barosso, said it would be “extremely difficult, if not difficult” for Scotland to secure EU membership.