"Extremely difficult" for Scotland to join the EU

[VectraMan]

Don't think we've done this.

BBC News - Scottish independence: Barroso says joining EU would be 'difficult'

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has said it would be "extremely difficult, if not impossible" for an independent Scotland to join the European Union.

Speaking to the BBC's Andrew Marr he said an independent Scotland would have to apply for membership and get the approval of all current member states.

In his interview with Andrew Marr, Mr Barroso said: "In case there is a new country, a new state, coming out of a current member state it will have to apply."

He said it was important that "accession to the European Union will have to be approved by all other member states of the European Union."

He went on: "Of course it will be extremely difficult to get the approval of all the other member states to have a new member coming from one member state."

I don't buy that other states would block Scotland joining the EU, but it doesn't look like being the automatic process that Salmond promises. If nothing else, applying for membership will take some time, and new members are meant to join the Euro, something else the SNP thinks isn't an issue despite not having asked anybody.

So, looking good for the SNP then.

[darmstadt]

I don't buy that other states would block Scotland joining the EU, but it doesn't look like being the automatic process that Salmond promises. If nothing else, applying for membership will take some time, and new members are meant to join the Euro, something else the SNP thinks isn't an issue despite not having asked anybody.

So, looking good for the SNP then.

I think any rational person knew that from the start. A bit of arrogance on the part of the yaysayers thinking that an automatic EU entry would be given...

[doodab]

There is a small risk of the spanish sticking their oar in, as they donct want the basques getting excitable, although they appear to have indicated they won't, probably because they know it will irk westminster.

[OwlHoot]

I wonder what concessions Cameron has given the EU in exchange for them to announce this

although in fairness they probably aren't at all keen on devolution within the EU anyway, as the more countries there are in it the more unwieldy and inefficient the whole thing presumably becomes.

[scooterscot]

Re-joining the EU is way down on the list of priorities for residents of Scotland. Economy matters most.

Why the establishment / media bangs on about this I think has more to do with Westminster's feelings towards the EU and much less to do with Scotland's interests.

Oh to be a fly on the wall of Tory HQ. "but if the vote yes they could be out of the EU in seven months time!" "Oh those Lucky bas$%£s" retorts a Brian Blessed type voice.

[Flashman]

The Spanish will almost certainly block Scotland. If not then the Spanish state could rapidly disintegrate as the Basque and Catalan areas leave for independent EU membership.

Very high stakes for Madrid.

But maybe if Scotland agreed to hand over its oil wealth to the EU then maybe that could sweeten the deal.............

[AtW]

I don't buy that other states would block Scotland joining the EU, but it doesn't look like being the automatic process that Salmond promises.

Should just keep ze nukes and gain its rightful place in the UN's Security Council...

[Zero Liability]

The EU is very keen on letting some real economic basketcases join, but yes I agree re: the above with regard to Spain.

[VectraMan]

Re-joining the EU is way down on the list of priorities for residents of Scotland. Economy matters most.

Seems pretty important to the SNP, who've made a big deal out of continuing within the EU when the UK might not. Voting for independence is also a vote for an SNP government, at least in the short term. But are these really the people you want? They've sought to reassure the population that there's no downside by promising to keep the pound and continuing with the EU, but that version of an independent Scotland appears to be a fantasy. What's becoming more and more evident is independence is a much larger step into the unknown than they want anyone to know.

[scooterscot]

But maybe if Scotland agreed to hand over its oil wealth to the EU then maybe that could sweeten the deal.............

Did you not know? The oil bank is empty.