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Scottish independence: Swinney says Barroso wrong over new state membership Scottish independence: Swinney says Barroso wrong over new state membership
(35 minutes later)
A Scottish minister believes the European Commission president was wrong to say a newly independent state would have to reapply for EU membership.A Scottish minister believes the European Commission president was wrong to say a newly independent state would have to reapply for EU membership.
John Swinney made his remarks about Jose Manuel Barroso to members of the Lords Economic Affairs Committee.John Swinney made his remarks about Jose Manuel Barroso to members of the Lords Economic Affairs Committee.
The EC president told the BBC that an independent state would have to reapply for European membership "according to the rules".The EC president told the BBC that an independent state would have to reapply for European membership "according to the rules".
The Scottish government plans to hold an independence referendum in 2014.The Scottish government plans to hold an independence referendum in 2014.
A letter from Mr Barroso to the House of Lords committee, which is examining the independence question, also confirmed his position that a new independent state would "become a third country with respect to the EU".A letter from Mr Barroso to the House of Lords committee, which is examining the independence question, also confirmed his position that a new independent state would "become a third country with respect to the EU".
Swinney: Because it would have an inherent interest to the sterling zone which would be created href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23lords" target="_blank">#lords Swinney's evidence finished. href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23Lord" target="_blank">#Lord Macgregor ends by stating that Barroso letter has "flushed out" SG need for talks with Brussels on href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23EU" target="_blank">#EU
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  • Forsyth: Why would Bank of England want to stand as guarantor to what would become a foreign country. #lords Swinney asked about eccnomic benefits of independence : better solutions, customised taxes, resources used better #lords
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  • href="http://twitter.com/AngusMacNeilMP" target="_blank">@AngusMacNeilMP Lords comm room 2 href="http://twitter.com/G4rve" target="_blank">@G4rve no problem
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  • Swinney on BoE: "It's the bank of the whole of the United Kingdom. It's as much our bank as anybody else's bank. " href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23lords" target="_blank">#lords href="http://twitter.com/G4rve" target="_blank">@G4rve Sorry?
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  • Swinney says SG has had "dialogue" with Bank of England re plans for monetary union. Will use "points raised by BoE" in developing model But Swinney quotes Clause 30 of Edin Agreement, for 2 govts to work "constructively" to deliver outcome of 2014 referendum
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    The Scottish government has written to the EC calling for "early talks" on the possibility of Scotland becoming independent.The Scottish government has written to the EC calling for "early talks" on the possibility of Scotland becoming independent.
    A commission spokesman said it had no comment to make on the letter sent by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, but it would reply in due course.A commission spokesman said it had no comment to make on the letter sent by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, but it would reply in due course.
    The Scottish government has always maintained that, in the event of a "yes" vote, Scotland would "quite clearly" remain part of the European Union and negotiations would take place "from within that context".The Scottish government has always maintained that, in the event of a "yes" vote, Scotland would "quite clearly" remain part of the European Union and negotiations would take place "from within that context".
    The president, in an interview with the BBC's Hardtalk programme, said the position was set out in clear legal terms.The president, in an interview with the BBC's Hardtalk programme, said the position was set out in clear legal terms.
    He explained: "I did not comment on specific situations of member states because I very much respect that it is their right, their sovereign right to decide about their organisation.He explained: "I did not comment on specific situations of member states because I very much respect that it is their right, their sovereign right to decide about their organisation.
    "What I said, and it is our doctrine and it is clear since 2004 in legal terms, if one part of a country - I am not referring now to any specific one - wants to become an independent state, of course as an independent state it has to apply to the European membership according to the rules - that is obvious.""What I said, and it is our doctrine and it is clear since 2004 in legal terms, if one part of a country - I am not referring now to any specific one - wants to become an independent state, of course as an independent state it has to apply to the European membership according to the rules - that is obvious."
    Appearing before the Lords, Mr Swinney said: "There are a variety of expressions of legal opinion, there was one just the other day there which was expressed by the professor of law for the University Glasgow who made the point in a broadcast interview.Appearing before the Lords, Mr Swinney said: "There are a variety of expressions of legal opinion, there was one just the other day there which was expressed by the professor of law for the University Glasgow who made the point in a broadcast interview.
    "Prof Tom Mullin says there is no specific provision in the treaty that expressly deals with the situation of a member state breaking up and both parts wanting to stay in and that confirms the view that I am taking.""Prof Tom Mullin says there is no specific provision in the treaty that expressly deals with the situation of a member state breaking up and both parts wanting to stay in and that confirms the view that I am taking."