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Scottish independence: Sturgeon making EU case in Ireland Scottish independence: Cameron EU referendum 'risks Scots jobs'
(about 13 hours later)
Scotland's deputy first minister will make the case for an independent Scotland at the heart of the European Union, during a visit to Ireland. Scotland's deputy first minister has claimed that Prime Minister David Cameron's pledge of an EU referendum is putting jobs at risk in Scotland.
Speaking in Dublin, Nicola Sturgeon will say Scotland can follow the country's example by prospering as a small independent European state. Nicola Sturgeon told an audience in Ireland that being in the EU had created and protected 64,000 jobs in the last decade.
The Scottish government is staging an independence referendum in autumn 2014. Mr Cameron this week pledged a referendum on the UK's future in Europe, if he won the next election.
SNP ministers have also been involved in a row with their opponents over the EU status of an independent Scotland. Ireland currently holds the revolving EU presidency.
Ireland, which currently holds the revolving EU presidency, is seen to have benefited greatly from EU membership. The Scottish government, which is staging an independence referendum in autumn 2014, has also been involved in a row with opponents over the EU status of an independent Scotland.
Speaking at a business conference, Ms Sturgeon will highlight the tens of thousands of jobs in Scotland that depend on EU markets, and say the only way to secure EU membership is to vote for independence. In a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Speeches/Scotland-europe-25-01-2013" >speech in Dublin for the the British Irish Chamber of Commerce, Ms Sturgeon said the prospect of an in/out referendum on UK membership of the EU was causing damaging uncertainty for Scotland.
Her comments will come after Prime Minister David Cameron this week pledged a referendum on the UK's future in Europe, if the Conservatives won the next election. She told the audience of business people that an independent Scotland as an EU member was "overwhelmingly" in the country's economic interests.
"We are in no doubt that the single EU market continues to be, as it has been in the past, a driver of economic recovery, growth and jobs going forward," said Ms Sturgeon.
"In recent days it has become clear that the UK government could be on a collision course with the EU over the terms of her membership, and it is no longer fanciful to consider as real the possibility that the UK is heading out of the EU."
The deputy first minister went on: "Let me state emphatically that this is not a journey that the Scottish government wishes Scotland to be a part of, nor one that I believe would be supported across the Scottish business community or wider civic society.
"But it is a position that brings with it considerable uncertainty and one that could damage Scotland's EU interests and influence, and deter foreign investors from investing in our economy."
Westminster ministers say there is no guarantee an independent Scotland would remain in the EU, and argue Scotland currently benefits as part of the UK and EU.
Following the speech, a Downing Street source said Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond had admitted the terms of an independent Scotland's membership of the EU would have to be negotiated.
"Given that Scotland would be applying to join as a new member state, there are enormous uncertainties about the terms of such membership, over issues such as currency, rebates, opt-outs and borders," said the source.
"Therefore, independence does not bring any certainty about the terms of EU membership for Scotland."
The source added: "The prime minister wants the UK to continue to be a member of a reformed EU and he wants all the people of the UK to have the final say.
"Alex Salmond wants to deny Scotland the right to such a vote and instead leave it in the hands of other countries."
'Precise scenario''Precise scenario'
For the UK government, Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said Ireland joined the EU 40 years ago and that times had changed.
Westminster ministers also say there is no guarantee an independent Scotland would remain in the EU, and argue Scotland currently benefits as part of the UK and EU.
The SNP government's opponents have made much of comments made in December by the president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, who said: "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."The SNP government's opponents have made much of comments made in December by the president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, who said: "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."
But Scots ministers have insisted that, in the event of a 'yes' vote in the independence referendum, Scotland would remain part of the EU and negotiate its membership terms "from within".But Scots ministers have insisted that, in the event of a 'yes' vote in the independence referendum, Scotland would remain part of the EU and negotiate its membership terms "from within".
Earlier this week, the European Commission rebuffed a Scottish government request for early discussions on the consequences of independence for EU membership.Earlier this week, the European Commission rebuffed a Scottish government request for early discussions on the consequences of independence for EU membership.
It said talks could only take place with an EU member state when there was a was a "precise scenario" to discuss.It said talks could only take place with an EU member state when there was a was a "precise scenario" to discuss.
Ms Sturgeon has offered to draw up a joint submission with the UK government in an effort to clarify the issue - although that was rejected by Mr Moore, who said it was up to SNP ministers to set out detailed independence plans. Ms Sturgeon has offered to draw up a joint submission with the UK government in an effort to clarify the issue - although that was rejected by Scottish Secretary Michael Moore, who said it was up to SNP ministers to set out detailed independence plans.