Press Release: EU benefits would be in doubt under independence

Opt-outs from EU border rules and the Euro which the UK fought hard to negotiate would be back on the EU negotiating table if Scotland became independent, Scottish Secretary, Michael Moore, said in Brussels on 6 December 2012.

John Swinney, the Scottish Finance Secretary, also said that Scotland would have to negotiate the details and terms of Scotland's EU membership. He was speaking after a report in 'The Scotsman' newspaper claimed that the European Commission had confirmed in a letter that a go-alone Scotland would have to reapply. The European Commission had yet to confirm the details of the letter, which was due to be sent to the House of Lords economic affairs sub committee.

• Primary Source

BBC News, 6.12.12: Scottish independence: John Swinney rejects EU reapplication reports http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-20623103

The Scotsman, 6.12.12: Scottish independence: Separate Scotland must apply to join EU, warns Brussels http://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-independence-separate-scotland-must-apply-to-join-eu-warns-brussels-1-2677200

ESO: Background information: Constituent parts of the UK and membership of the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/speech-constituent-parts-of-the-uk-and-membership-of-the-european-union/

ESO: Background information: ‘No way back’ if Scots leave union, says Darling http://www.europeansources.info/record/no-way-back-if-scots-leave-union-says-darling/

BBC News, 06.12.12: Scottish independence: In or out of Europe. A simple question? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-20629600

UK: Scotland Office: Press Release, 6.12.12: Moore makes case on Scottish issues in Europe http://www.scotlandoffice.gov.uk/scotlandoffice/18273.html

Blog: EU Journalism Fellowship, 10.12.12: Scotland’s independence minister wants urgent talks on EU limbo http://eujournalism.blogactiv.eu/2012/12/10/scotlands-independence-minister-wants-urgent-talks-on-eu-limbo/

European Voice, Vol.18, No.45, 13.12.12: http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/imported/breaking-up-is-hard-to-do/75983.aspx

UK: Scottish Government: News Release, 13.12.12: Statement on European Union http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2012/12/EU13122012

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