A leading pro-Europe group has urged the SNP to delay its proposed Scottish “independence day”.
According to European Movements in Scotland (EMiS), the Scottish Government’s 18-month timescale from a possible Yes vote on September 18 to EU membership is open to “delaying tactics” by the 28 member states who must give unanimous approval.
The group – Scotland’s oldest dedicated pro-European organisation – has argued there is “no straightforward legal route” for an independent Scotland to join.
In a submission to Holyrood’s European and external affairs committee, EMiS said Scottish officials will need “excellent bargaining and positioning skills”. “We believe the 18-month timetable to be aggressive. It is, at least, vulnerable to delaying tactics by those required to give approval,” it said.
“In such an event, we would argue in favour of avoiding a hiatus in Scotland’s membership (for example) by leaving open the possibility of deferring the formal separation date.”
Liberal Democrat MEP George Lyon said the best way for Scotland to protect the benefits it currently enjoys from the EU was to remain part of the UK.
“The fact is that in the event of a Yes vote, Scotland would face the prospect of rejoining the EU on worse terms than we enjoy at present,” he said.
“The European Movement have no particular referendum axe to grind and they are simply restating what many experts have already told us: that the SNP’s independence timetable in the event of a vote to leave the UK is not realistic.”
A spokesman for the pro-independence campaign group Yes Scotland said: “After a Yes vote, the Scottish Government will begin discussions with the Westminster government, EU member states and the institutions of the EU to agree a smooth transition to full membership on the day Scotland becomes an independent country in 2016.”