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Scottish independence: Salmond and Hague clash over EU membership Scottish independence: Scotland 'committed' to EU, says Salmond
(about 3 hours later)
The foreign secretary and the first minister have clashed over the issue of an independent Scotland's membership of the European Union. An independent Scotland would be an "enthusiastic, engaged and committed contributor to European progress", First Minister Alex Salmond has said.
William Hague has written to Alex Salmond ahead of the first minister making a speech at the College of Europe in Belgium. At the College of Europe in Bruges, Mr Salmond said a possible in/out UK referendum on the EU presented a "real risk" to Scotland's place in Europe.
Mr Hague said "Scotland benefits from the UK's strong voice in Europe". The speech came ahead of Scotland's referendum on independence.
Mr Salmond said he would highlight the "constructive role an independent Scotland could play in the EU". Foreign Secretary William Hague said separate negotiations with the EU would mean a worse deal for Scotland.
In his speech in Bruges later, the first minister will outline reasons why he believes an independent Scotland would be welcome in the EU. The first minister outlined reasons why he believes an independent Scotland would be welcome in the European Union.
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". "The EU is an institution which enables countries of all sizes to contribute as equal partners, and which is an enduring rebuke to any notion that independence might mean isolation," he said.
Mr Hague has warned that negotiations to join the EU "are likely to be complex and long". Ahead of the speech, the foreign secretary and the first minister clashed over the issue of an independent Scotland's membership of the EU.
William Hague wrote to Alex Salmond before the address to the academic institution in Belgium.
Mr Hague said: "Scotland benefits from the UK's strong voice in Europe".
But Mr Salmond argued in Bruges: "An independent Scotland, as an equal member state, will bring a positive, cooperative voice to the EU, in contrast to the often sullen, disengaged voices that have spoken on our behalf since Margaret Thatcher's speech in this city more than a quarter of a century ago.
"Not being at the top table in Europe has harmed Scotland's interests for four decades. Within the UK, we are occasionally consulted. With independence, we would contribute as equals."
Mr Hague warned that, if Scotland opted for independence, negotiations to join the EU "are likely to be complex and long".
'Less advantageous'
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 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.