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Scottish independence: Salmond and Hague clash over EU membership Scottish independence: Salmond and Hague clash over EU membership
(about 11 hours later)
The foreign secretary and the first minister have clashed over the issue of an independent Scotland's membership of the European Union.The foreign secretary and the first minister have clashed over the issue of an independent Scotland's membership of the European Union.
William Hague has written to Alex Salmond ahead of the first minister making a speech at the College of Europe in Belgium.William Hague has written to Alex Salmond ahead of the first minister making a speech at the College of Europe in Belgium.
Mr Hague said "Scotland benefits from the UK's strong voice in Europe".Mr Hague said "Scotland benefits from the UK's strong voice in Europe".
Mr Salmond said he would highlight the "constructive role an independent Scotland could play in the EU".Mr Salmond said he would highlight the "constructive role an independent Scotland could play in the EU".
In his speech in Bruges later, the first minister will outline reasons why he believes an independent Scotland would be welcome in the EU.In his speech in Bruges later, the first minister will outline reasons why he believes an independent Scotland would be welcome in the EU.
He will say Scotland's natural resources make it one of the "lynchpins" of the EU and he will highlight the "key role" he believes Scotland can play in providing "energy security for Europe".He will say Scotland's natural resources make it one of the "lynchpins" of the EU and he will highlight the "key role" he believes Scotland can play in providing "energy security for Europe".
Mr Hague has warned that negotiations to join the EU "are likely to be complex and long".Mr Hague has warned that negotiations to join the EU "are likely to be complex and long".
'Strong voice'
In his letter to Mr Salmond, the foreign secretary also said the outcome "would certainly prove less advantageous than the status quo."In his letter to Mr Salmond, the foreign secretary also said the outcome "would certainly prove less advantageous than the status quo."
He said: "People in Scotland deserve to have the available facts ahead of making one of the most important political decisions in the history of our union.He said: "People in Scotland deserve to have the available facts ahead of making one of the most important political decisions in the history of our union.
"The terms of EU membership which your government has said it will seek to secure for an independent Scotland are at odds with the EU's own rules of membership.""The terms of EU membership which your government has said it will seek to secure for an independent Scotland are at odds with the EU's own rules of membership."
The Scottish government has proposed using a treaty amendment under Article 48 of the Treaty of the European Union as a "suitable legal route" to facilitate an independent Scotland's membership, rather than seeking accession as a new member state.The Scottish government has proposed using a treaty amendment under Article 48 of the Treaty of the European Union as a "suitable legal route" to facilitate an independent Scotland's membership, rather than seeking accession as a new member state.
Mr Hague said such a move would require all 28 member states to agree to this, and called on Mr Salmond to provide information on what guarantees he has received from member states regarding this.Mr Hague said such a move would require all 28 member states to agree to this, and called on Mr Salmond to provide information on what guarantees he has received from member states regarding this.
He added: "Scotland benefits from the UK's strong voice in Europe and the UK has a proven track record in delivering for Scottish interests in the EU."He added: "Scotland benefits from the UK's strong voice in Europe and the UK has a proven track record in delivering for Scottish interests in the EU."
'Constructive role''Constructive role'
Mr Salmond has sent a reply to the Foreign Secretary stating that "the UK government has repeatedly refused to jointly approach the Commission with the precise legal scenario on Scottish independence".Mr Salmond has sent a reply to the Foreign Secretary stating that "the UK government has repeatedly refused to jointly approach the Commission with the precise legal scenario on Scottish independence".
He told Mr Hague the purpose of his visit was "to articulate the constructive role an independent Scotland could play in the Europe Union".He told Mr Hague the purpose of his visit was "to articulate the constructive role an independent Scotland could play in the Europe Union".
"This contrasts of course with the renegotiation and in-out referendum favoured by your party, leading to the inevitable conclusion that the real threat to Scotland's position comes from the anti-European streak which now dominates your approach to politics," he said."This contrasts of course with the renegotiation and in-out referendum favoured by your party, leading to the inevitable conclusion that the real threat to Scotland's position comes from the anti-European streak which now dominates your approach to politics," he said.
Voters in Scotland will be asked the yes/no question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?" in the referendum on 18 September.Voters in Scotland will be asked the yes/no question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?" in the referendum on 18 September.