Spain will not block scotland eu membership

Alfonso Dastis said Spain would not “initially” veto Scottish attempts to join the bloc in an interview welcomed by Scotland’s Brexit minister.  Spain has long been seen as an obstacle to an

independent Scotland joining the EU to deter separatists in some of its own regions.  Asked whether Spain would veto an independent Scotland joining the EU, Mr Dastis told Spanish newspaper

El Pais: "Initially, I don't think we would block it.” Mr Dastis said Scotland will leave the EU with Britain, adding “the rest we will see”.  He stressed an independent Scotland

would have to follow the formal application process of joining the EU.  The foreign minister said: "Having said that, if, in application of its laws, the outcome of that process is a

division of the United Kingdom, any part of the United Kingdom that becomes a state and wants to join the EU will have to apply. And follow the steps that are stipulated.”  Insisting Spain

remains opposed to an independent Scotland, Mr Dastis told the Guardian: "We don't want it to happen. But if it happens legally and constitutionally, we would not block it."

CHIEF MINISTER OF GIBRALTAR: SPAIN IS USING BREXIT Scottish Government minister Michael Russell welcomed Mr Dastis’s comments, saying they will help to end "misinformation" about

Spain's position regarding Scotland and the EU. Mr Russell, the minister for UK negotiations on Scotland's place in Europe, told BBC Scotland: "That has been the position of

the Spanish Government for some considerable time. "All the speculation about what the Spanish Government would or wouldn't do has been wrong. "I very much welcome it because

it equates with reality." REUTERS Alfonso Dastis said Spain would not “initially” veto Scottish attempts to join the bloc AFP Scottish Government minister Michael Russell welcomed Mr

Dastis’s comments SNP MP Stephen Gethins described it as a "significant intervention" by Spain's foreign minister. He said: "We can be now absolutely clear - there is no

intention of a 'Spanish veto' over Scotland's EU membership. "This is just the latest indication from a senior European diplomat that an independent Scotland would be

welcomed into the EU after Lord Kerr this week said that we'd be in 'very fast'. MOMENT Theresa May said Britain remains committed to Gibraltar "EU countries want to be

constructive with Scotland and will respect the democratic will of the Scottish people if we choose to be independent." Any prospective application to the EU can be vetoed by any member

with Spain previously suggesting Scotland would be at the "back of the queue" to join the European Union if it achieves independence. It comes as Spain goes head to head with

Britain over Gibraltar during Brexit talks.  The British overseas territory on Spain’s south coast has stirred tensions between London and Madrid amid fears Spain could use the Rock to veto

a potential trade deal.  The EU has said that, following Brexit itself, no future EU-Britain pact that affects Gibraltar can be made without Madrid's approval. Britain has reacted

sharply, saying its support for the territory, ceded by Spain in 1713 and which wants to remain British, is "implacable".