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Spain wouldn't block Scotland from joining EU after Brexit

Scotland's Brexit minister Michael Russell has welcomed Spain's admission that it would not initi...
Newstalk
Newstalk

20.42 2 Apr 2017


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Spain wouldn't block S...

Spain wouldn't block Scotland from joining EU after Brexit

Newstalk
Newstalk

20.42 2 Apr 2017


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Scotland's Brexit minister Michael Russell has welcomed Spain's admission that it would not initially block an independent Scotland's attempts to join the EU.

However, Madrid's Foreign Minister has also reportedly stressed he does not want to see the country leave the UK.

Spain's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alfonso Dastis says Spain wouldn't veto an independent Scotland's EU hopes.

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Spain has long been seen as an obstacle to an independent Scotland joining the EU to deter separatists in some of its own regions.

Speaking in an interview published today, Alfonso Dastis said "Initially, I don't think we would block it,"

However, he added that Scotland would leave the EU with Britain, "the rest we will see."

He also said that Spain did not welcome fragmentation of the European family.

"Having said that, if, in application of its laws, the outcome of that process is a division of the United Kingdom, any part of the United Kingdom that becomes a state and wants to join the EU will have to apply. And follow the steps that are stipulated".

Independence referendum 

Members of the Scottish Parliament voted by 69 to 59 earlier this the week in favour of seeking permission for an independence referendum to take place between autumn 2018 and spring 2019.

Following on from that, a letter from Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon formally requesting transfer of powers to hold a second Scottish independence referendum was delivered to Downing Street.

The British government said it will decline the request, with Mrs May repeatedly stating "now is not the time" for another vote on the issue.


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