Spain says independent Scotland would be at back of EU queue


Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: Less than a minute

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

MADRID (AP) — Spain's Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis said Scotland will be "at the back of the queue" if it wants to become a member of the European Union if it decides to leave the United Kingdom.

Dastis was responding Monday to the news a day earlier that the Scottish government is planning to hold another referendum on its future in the U.K.

His comments also signal that Madrid will be firm on the issue, as it was in 2014 when Scotland voted to remain in the U.K. — Spain's conservative government doesn't want to encourage a separatist movement in Catalonia.

According to Europa Press, Dastis told reporters in Peru that an independent Scotland "can't just stay in the EU."

Any prospective application to the EU can be vetoed by any member.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Most recent Business stories

Related topics

Business
The Associated Press
    KSL.com Beyond Series

    KSL Weather Forecast

    KSL Weather Forecast
    Play button