Academic supports Scottish EU membership

SNP MEP Alyn Smith has welcomed comments by Professor Henri De Waele, senior lecturer in EU law at Radboud University in Nijmegen in the Netherlands.

Speaking to the BBC Scotland’s Newsweek Programme, Prof De Waele said:

“From an EU perspective, people would be very open to, quite quickly, make sure that Scotland would become a full member in its own right.

“There is no impediment whatsoever to Scotland, as such, being let’s say a lawfully separated state or lawfully separated territory from the UK becoming a state in its own right, or indeed henceforth trying to get its way into the EU ASAP.”

Welcoming Prof De Waele’s contribution, SNP MEP Alyn Smith said:

“Scotland is well respected and known across the world, and nowhere more so than with our friends and neighbours in the European Union.

“It is encouraging that European Union experts like Professor De Waele have rightly gone some way to putting myths to bed about any issues facing an Independent Scotland’s ability to have the choice to be in the EU.

“Scotland already exists and is recognised within the EU, all be it as part of the UK at present.

“However, speaking with politicians from all over Europe on a regular basis they are very interested and supportive of our nation’s growing desire to become independent.”