One of the senior officials here last night stated that the present day Independent Scotland would be forced to apply to become a member of the European Union (EU). Arguing repeatedly about the transition from Union with England to EU, Alex Salmond calls it “seamless”. Looking into the sensitivity of the issue in Scotland, the European Commission always has refused to be in the debate over this subject. In a gust to Mr Salmond, Joe Borg the fisheries commissioner said that as independent Scotland will remain outside EUAdding that the application process will be likely a cake walk for Scotland, as it was in the EU for over 30 years. But the serious concern is that it may take long to complete the process as before joining, the other member states must have to approve the country’s membership.
Talking to media Mr Borg stated “On the issue concerning Scotland’s independence, that’s not my competence to assess or to evaluate but if, for one moment, we were to assume that Scotland gained independence and therefore is eligible as a new member state for the European Union, I would see that, legally speaking, the continuation of the membership would remain with the rest of the UK - less Scotland. And, therefore, Scotland, as a newly independent state, would have to apply for membership.”
Further adding Mr Borg stood against the conjecture SNP was making till now. He also contradict the statements from Mr Salmond and Jim Mather (enterprise minister). Mr Salmond said previously that “Scotland is already a member of the EU and that would continue. It is not easy to leave the EU, as we saw with the attempts by Greenland when they won autonomy from Denmark.” While his enterprise minister Mr Mather says, “We are an incumbent member state - what about England having to re-apply?”
One of the spokesman for Mr Salmond told that, the first minister have not shred the view of Mr Borg. He tells that Mr Borg has made it clear that the issue is not within his competence to assess as an individual. The European commission has intentionally have not given any answers to the questions levied on them by the European parliament.
Stating the views given by late Robin Cook when he was foreign secretary in a statement said, an independent Scotland will remain a member of the EU. European Union welcomes all new comers and Scotland will definitely be one of them. With the inclusion of Romania and Bulgaria into EU as a member, Why not rich Scotland.
Taking neutral stand yesterday the European Commission spokeswoman said “It is not customary for the commission to state its views on matters which, as things stand are purely hypothetical. Mr Bog with his views has given a spark to the debate on the future of Scotland as an independent country. According to him, he suggests that Scotland is not assured of its membership in EU and it can find itself outside the main trading block for a long span of time.
Lorand Bartels, one of the lecturers in the international economic law at Edinburgh University tells that, the route to get into EU for Scotland will not be fast. He adds that . “This process may be relatively unproblematic, given that Scotland already applies EU law, but it is unlikely to be entirely ’seamless’. At the very least, there would be likely to be an obligation to adopt the euro,” Lorand said.
One more acid test which Scotland has to clear is the French who have decided to boast a nationwide referendum before all new members into the EU. So now the fate of Scotland’s inclusion into EU lies on the hands of French people. Now time will tell how long it will take for independent Scotland to make through into EU.
