Silence from SNP over EU talks

13 Dec 2012

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today made a statement to the Scottish Parliament on whether a separate Scotland would have to re-apply to the EU.

The Scottish Conservatives requested the move after the European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said it was “obvious” a separate Scotland would not automatically re-enter the EU.

It contradicted statements given by First Minister Alex Salmond and other senior SNP members, who have insisted an independent Scotland would simply continue within the EU.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson MSP said:

“The Scottish Government was asked twice today to reveal what talks they have already had with Europe and what discussions are planned in the future.

“But at First Questions and then during this afternoon’s statement, there was a deafening silence from Alex Salmond and his deputy, Nicola Sturgeon.

“All we got today from the SNP was more assertion instead of hard facts to serious questions affecting every area of life in Scotland.

“They are simply making it up as they go along with their fingers crossed behind their backs.

“There was nothing about the process involved on what would happen to Scotland’s position within the EU if the country voted to separate from the UK.

“In their breathtaking arrogance to try and justify their incompetence on this issue, Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon have shown utter contempt towards the people of Scotland.”

 

 

• Evidence from Finance Secretary John Swinney to the Lords Economic Affairs Committee on Tuesday, December 11:

Chairman: “Do you mean to say that you haven’t engaged at all in discussions with the European commission on this matter?”

John Swinney: […] the Scottish government has taken forward, what I would call informal dialogue with the commission. But the Commission have been very clear that they would only consider a particular scenario if that scenario was put to them by a member state government.”

• A full copy of a letter, sent on behalf of President Barroso, from Hubert Szlaszewski, Director or the European Commission’s Secretariat General, to Struan Stevenson MEP can be seen at: http://www.struanstevenson.com/assets/uploads/Letter%20from%20Barroso.jpg 

• See attached, for a copy of exchange of letters between Struan Stevenson MEP and Commissioner Stefan Füle, European Commissioner for Enlargement.

 

The Scottish Conservatives made the request for a parliamentary statement on Monday.

EC President Jose Manuel Barroso said on Monday a separate Scotland would have to reapply to the EU:

www.scottishconservatives.com/2012/12/separate-scotland-would-have-to-reapply-to-eu-barroso/