‘Empathy’ for unbiased Scotland becoming a member of the EU says Tusk

Former European Council president Donald Tusk says Brussels feels “empathy” in the direction of an unbiased Scotland becoming a member of the European Union.

Nicola Sturgeon has stated an unbiased Scotland would search full membership of the EU.

Requested if this could be seemed upon favourably by the EU, Mr Tusk stated, “emotionally I’ve little question that everybody shall be enthusiastic”.

However Mr Tusk warned that any entry bid wouldn’t be mechanically accepted.

The feedback come after Mr Tusk’s predecessor, Herman Van Rompuy, final 12 months stated he believes Brexit has changed EU attitudes to Scottish independence.

The UK authorities does not support Scottish government calls for another independence referendum or rejoining the EU in any type.

‘Respect debate’

Mr Tusk, who served as European Council president for 5 years till November final 12 months, was talking in a BBC interview to be aired on The Andrew Marr Show .

When requested concerning the prospect of an unbiased Scotland becoming a member of the EU, the Polish politician stated “I need to cease myself from saying one thing too blunt”.

He stated that he feels “very Scottish, particularly after Brexit”.

Nonetheless he added he needed to “respect the inner debate in the UK” and it was not his position to intervene.

However when pressed on the extent of help within the EU in the direction of an unbiased Scotland becoming a member of the union, he stated: “Emotionally I’ve little question that everybody shall be enthusiastic right here in Brussels, and extra typically in Europe.

“In the event you ask me about our feelings, you’ll witness I believe at all times empathy.”

Mr Tusk additionally stated “formalities” and treaty agreements would nonetheless must be adhered to.

His feedback come two days after the UK formally left the European Union, regardless of Scottish voters backing Stay by 62% to 38% within the EU referendum.

In a speech on Brexit day, Nicola Sturgeon stated there was “real and profound sadness” felt by many Scots, also tinged with anger.

An unbiased Scotland would require the backing of all 27 EU members to hitch the buying and selling bloc and there are a selection of nations which have already utilized and began accession negotiations.

The European Coverage Centre think-tank, of which Mr Van Rompuy is president, final 12 months printed an evaluation on unbiased Scottish membership of the EU.

It concluded that the EU ought to “interact positively” with Scotland within the occasion of independence, if there had been a correctly constituted referendum.

Nevertheless it stated Scotland couldn’t count on “particular therapy” and that the Scottish authorities must settle for all of the obligations of membership, together with agreeing in precept to hitch the euro.