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Scottish independence: Barroso says joining EU would be 'difficult' Scottish independence: Barroso says joining EU would be 'difficult'
(35 minutes later)
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has said it would be "extremely difficult, if not impossible" for an independent Scotland to join the European Union.European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has said it would be "extremely difficult, if not impossible" for an independent Scotland to join the European Union.
Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr show he said independent Scotland would have to apply for membership and get the approval of all current member states. Speaking to the BBC's Andrew Marr he said an independent Scotland would have to apply for membership and get the approval of all current member states.
The Scottish government has said it would negotiate transition into the EU.The Scottish government has said it would negotiate transition into the EU.
It said such a move could be achieved within 18 months of a "Yes" vote.It said such a move could be achieved within 18 months of a "Yes" vote.
The referendum on Scottish independence will be held on 18 September, with voters being asked the Yes/No question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"The referendum on Scottish independence will be held on 18 September, with voters being asked the Yes/No question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
New stateNew state
In his interview with Andrew Marr, Mr Barroso said: "In case there is a new country, a new state, coming out of a current member state it will have to apply. In his interview with Andrew Marr, Mr Barroso said: "In case there is a new country, a new state, coming out of a current member state it will have to apply."
"And - is very important - accession to the European Union will have to be approved by all other member states of the European Union. He said it was important that "accession to the European Union will have to be approved by all other member states of the European Union."
"Of course it will be extremely difficult to get the approval of all the other member states to have a new member coming from one member state... I believe it's going to be extremely difficult, if not impossible, a new member state coming out of one of our countries getting the agreement of the others." He went on: "Of course it will be extremely difficult to get the approval of all the other member states to have a new member coming from one member state."
However, Mr Barroso made clear that it was up to the people of Scotland to decide their future, and he did not want to interfere in that process. Mr Barroso cited the example of the Spanish not recognising Kosovo.
He said: "We have seen Spain has been opposing even the recognition of Kosovo, for instance. So it is to some extent a similar case because it's a new country and so I believe it's going to be extremely difficult, if not impossible, a new member state coming out of our countries getting the agreement of the others."
However, Mr Barroso made clear that it was up to the people of Scotland to decide their future, and he said he did not want to interfere in that process.
In its White Paper on independence, launched in November, the Scottish government said the country would look to gain membership through Article 48 of the Treaty of the European Union.In its White Paper on independence, launched in November, the Scottish government said the country would look to gain membership through Article 48 of the Treaty of the European Union.
A Scottish government spokesman said: "As a full member of the EU, an independent Scotland would have a seat at the top table to represent Scotland's interests more effectively.
"Negotiations on the specific terms of Scotland's continued membership of the EU would take place in the time between the referendum and independence day in 2016.
"This position has been backed by Sir David Edward, formerly the British judge at the Court of Justice of the EU and other experts and the UK government's own expert says the Scottish government's estimate of the time it will take to complete the process is "realistic".