Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy vows to oppose Scotland EU talks

Block: Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy has vowed to oppose any attempts by Scotland to stay in the EU
EPA
Hannah Al-Othman30 June 2016

Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy has vowed to oppose any attempts by Scotland to stay in the EU as the rest of Britain leaves, insisting that Brussels must negotiate only with the UK Government.

Mr Rajoy made his comments as Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited Brussels on a mission to set out Scotland's position following last week's referendum, in which voters north of the border overwhelmingly backed continued EU membership.

European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, who is meeting Ms Sturgeon, said that Scotland had "won a right to be heard" in Brussels.

However, he poured cold water on Scottish hopes of separate negotiations, saying that neither he nor European Council president Donald Tusk would interfere in internal British politics.

"I will listen carefully to what the First Minister will tell me, but we don't have the intention - neither Donald nor myself - to interfere in the British process," said the Commission president. "That is not our duty and not our job."

Madrid has been a vocal opponent of Scottish independence because of the pressure it is facing from separatists in Catalonia.

And Mr Rajoy made clear that he would seek to block any special treatment for Scotland, telling a press conference at the conclusion of this week's European Council summit: "If the United Kingdom leaves, so does Scotland.

"Scotland has no competences to negotiate with the EU. The Spanish government rejects any negotiation with anyone other than the United Kingdom."

The First Minister's visit comes after MSPs voted to give her a "mandate" to hold discussions with EU institutions as well as the UK Government and other devolved nations.

Brussels meeting: Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
AFP/Getty

Ms Sturgeon has said that "everything must be on the table to protect Scotland's place in Europe" after the UK voted to leave the EU while a large majority of Scots voted to stay.

Following talks with European Parliament president Martin Schulz, she made clear plans remain at a "very early stage" and that her visit was primarily intended to ensure Brussels is aware of Scotland's position in the wake of last Thursday's UK-wide vote for Brexit.

"We are at a very early stage of this process. I've set out very clearly Scotland's desire to protect our relationship with the European Union," said Ms Sturgeon.

"I don't underestimate the challenges that lie ahead for us in seeking to find a path and this is very much an initial meeting and series of meetings in Brussels today so that people understand that Scotland, unlike other parts of the UK, doesn't want to leave the EU.

"It was very much an introductory meeting and I was grateful to the president for agreeing to see me this morning."

In the House of Commons in London, the PM brushed off a demand from the SNP's leader in Westminster, Angus Robertson, to assist Scotland in its efforts to remain a part of the EU.

Mr Cameron said that "the membership of the UK is a UK membership and that's where we should take our negotiating stance".

It was in Scotland's best interest, as well as the interest of the UK as a whole, to negotiate "the closest possible relationship" with the remaining EU following withdrawal, he said.

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