Spain is standing in the way of Scotland's ambitions to become an independent nation within the European Union because of fears that it could spark the break-up of the Spanish state. Spanish officials have registered concerns with counterparts in the United Kingdom over the Scottish government's independence blueprint, senior Whitehall sources confirmed yesterday. Spain has indicated it could block an independent Scotland's accession to the European Union, sources said. It has already refused to recognise Kosovo's existence as an independent state. Madrid fears such moves will encourage separatist ambitions in Spanish regions, particularly Catalonia and the Basque region. Spain's refusal to recognise Kosovo has frustrated the former Serbian province's ambitions to enter the union. The Catalan premier, Artur Mas, last week drew parallels with Scotland as he argued for a new financial deal with Madrid. "Spain refuses to speak publicly about Scotland at this stage," a senior Foreign Office source said yesterday. "But they have been making it clear for a number of years they are apprehensive about the prospect of Scotland becoming independent. The renewed debate about the referendum has started it all again." A senior UK minister said: "We understand the Scottish view is they would wish to join the UN but they would not wish to join Nato. They might wish to join the EU, but we fully expect Spain to block it, fearing it might encourage the separatist spirit on their doorstep." A Spanish veto would undermine claims an independent Scotland could immediately operate as a viable state. Although Alex Salmond insists Scotland would be able to join the EU following a "yes" vote in a referendum, experts maintain membership would not come automatically. An official House of Commons briefing paper on the subject points out decisions on membership must be agreed unanimously by all EU member states. It added: "It is worth considering, if there is a continuing UK, it would have a vote on an independent Scotland's accession application, as would other member states with their own internal regional independence issues, such as Spain." Professor Thomas Giegerich, an international law expert at Edinburgh University, said it would be "diplomatically difficult" for Scotland to join the EU after a "yes" vote, with other member states "reluctant" to anger the UK. However, a Scottish National Party spokesman said it was "preposterous" to suggest that Scotland could be excluded from the EU. He said: "Scotland has been an integral part of the EU for almost 40 years. An independent Scotland would be a succession state, not an accession state, and there is no provision for citizens of the EU to be expelled." The implications an independence vote could have beyond UK borders emerged as the latest front in a war of attrition between London and Edinburgh. Mr Salmond will begin a counteroffensive this week with the launch of a consultation on an independence referendum. On Tuesday, the First Minister will be in London to promote the idea of a "new union of independent countries". Michael Moore, the Secretary of State for Scotland, called on Mr Salmond to use his launch "to address the key issues that currently stand in the way of a referendum". He added: "I hope they will acknowledge the Scottish Parliament does not have the power to hold a legal referendum, and that a Section 30 order devolving that power is the best way to proceed."
Better role out the wife beating ex milkman from Edinburgh to allay fears. Isn't his beaten up wife Spanish? See him bumping his gums in the paper. He has **** all right as to what Scotland does. They aren't letting ex-pats vote so some ****e actor who doesn't want to contribute to his country can **** off and die. Tax evading prick. Does he still support Rangers actually?
The cheeky ****s. Their economy is only barely still going because of Glaswegians flocking to Benidorm every year.
I can see the headlines now "Scottish boycott Spanish Holidays" 2 weeks later "Spanish doomed to IMF bailout"
On the plus side, a wee trip across the water for a game and I would be flying out of the EU so could pick up cheap booze on the way back.
I don't know why anyone is so surprised. Said all along that Europe will never work. Too many hidden agendas, conflicting interests and centuries of political and social differences. And add in The Collaborators and The Nazis and you have a recipe for disaster especially for far flung outposts like Scotchland. Get real FFS.
If you don't like 'Scotchland' why don't you **** off back to Essex or Sussex or wherever it is your drunk mother spawned you?
I didn't say I didn't like Scotchland did I fudface. Why don't you and the rest of your glory hunting Oirish Celtic fans **** off back to Paddyville?
You do realise that being a British citizen you can legally move anywhere in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. You can even move to the Republic of ireland if you want.
Given that the UK would no longer exist if Scotland left, wouldn't the rump of the UK also have to apply for EU membership?
