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Scottish independence: Scotland 'committed' to EU, says Salmond Scottish independence: Scotland 'committed' to EU, says Salmond
(about 3 hours later)
An independent Scotland would be an "enthusiastic, engaged and committed contributor to European progress", First Minister Alex Salmond has said.An independent Scotland would be an "enthusiastic, engaged and committed contributor to European progress", First Minister Alex Salmond has said.
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.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.
The speech came ahead of Scotland's referendum on independence.The speech came ahead of Scotland's referendum on independence.
Foreign Secretary William Hague said separate negotiations with the EU would mean a worse deal for Scotland.Foreign Secretary William Hague said separate negotiations with the EU would mean a worse deal for Scotland.
The first minister outlined reasons why he believes an independent Scotland would be welcome in the European Union.The first minister outlined reasons why he believes an independent Scotland would be welcome in the European Union.
"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. He said: "Scotland's vast natural resources and human talent make it one of the lynchpins of the European Union. We have a key role to play in providing energy security for Europe.
Ahead of the speech, the foreign secretary and the first minister clashed over the issue of an independent Scotland's membership of the EU. "As one of the wealthiest countries, Scotland is a net financial contributor to the EU and will remain so as an independent member.
William Hague wrote to Alex Salmond before the address to the academic institution in Belgium. "We have more top universities, per head, than any other member of the EU and our academics collaborate with partners across Europe. We have one of the largest national shares of Europe's total fishing grounds. The EU's fisheries policy would unravel without Scotland."
Mr Hague said: "Scotland benefits from the UK's strong voice in Europe". Mr Salmond argued that "not being at the top table in Europe has harmed Scotland's interests for four decades".
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. He added: "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." "Within the UK, we are occasionally consulted. With independence, we would contribute as equals. And in contributing as equals, we would make proposals to address the democratic challenges that Europe faces today."
Mr Hague warned that, if Scotland opted for independence, negotiations to join the EU "are likely to be complex and long". Living wage
'Less advantageous' Mr Salmond also warned Scotland could be "dragged out of the European Union" against its will unless it voted for independence.
In his letter to Mr Salmond, the foreign secretary also said the outcome "would certainly prove less advantageous than the status quo." He said: "The real risk to Scotland's place in the EU is not the independence referendum in September. It's the in-out referendum of 2017."
The first minister revealed he would urge the European Commission to "rethink" laws that he said prevent the Scottish government from making the Living Wage a requirement of public sector contracts.
Labour has argued that the Scottish government could get round EU rules to include Living Wage requirements in new legislation on procurement.
Ahead of the speech, Mr Hague wrote to Mr Salmond arguing that "Scotland benefits from the UK's strong voice in Europe".
Mr Hague claimed that, if Scotland opted for independence, negotiations to join the EU "are likely to be complex and long".
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 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.