Independence: Scotland in Europe
The relationship with the EU
David Crawley
“Arguably
Scotland
has
understood
the value
of its links
with Europe
better than
other parts
of the UK.”
David Crawley
was head of the
post-devolution
Scotland Office
(2002-05), and
was the Brusselsbased European
Director for the
Scottish Executive
during the last
UK Presidency of
the EU (2005-06).
He has significant
background in
the planning and
implementation
of Scottish
devolution since
1997. His main
expertise is to do
with public policy
and organisations
at Scotland, UK
and EU levels.
The current debate about how and
when an independent Scotland
might join the European Union as
a full member – vital though that
is – risks obscuring the extent
and nature of Scotland’s current
links with the rest of Europe, and
the long-term importance of our
European relationships whatever
the outcome of the referendum.
Scotland has long had a strong
relationship with Europe as part
of the UK. We have played an
active part in many sectors –
notably farming and fisheries,
but in many others which touch
closely on Scottish interests,
including environment,
justice and home
affairs, regional
development,
and the single
market. Before
devolution,
Scottish
Ministers and
officials were
routinely involved
in EU Council
meetings as part of the
UK team negotiating on key
issues like the Common Fisheries
Policy, the regular Common
Agricultural Policy discussions,
the environment, food and animal
health. After devolution, a set
of formal agreements known
as concordats between the UK
and Scottish Governments have
provided for continuing Scottish
involvement, and Scotland has
pursued its interests through
its representation in Brussels,
which has operated alongside
the UK representation and which,
unusually among EU regional
representations, was allowed
the huge
advantage of
full diplomatic
status.
We have
developed links
with many
European
regions and
member
states, and now
have a strong
reputation in
Brussels built
around Scottish culture and our
core priorities of farming, fisheries,
food and the environment. We
have also been able to access
substantial EU resources for
regional and rural development.
Also important, our links with nonmembers of the EU have depended
on common interests – notably in
the case of Norway, with whom
we share common concerns in oil
and fisheries, and a long cultural
history.
European membership is no free
ride. Scotland would have to move
to a much more grown-up version
of its European role. It would
be one of the more prosperous
member states of the expanded EU
and would have to bear its share of
responsibilities and costs. It would
have to work hard at alliances
and would need to recognize that
small states tend to do best if
they support European ideals and
objectives.
If Scotland votes for independence,
the economic, social and cultural
case for Scotland remaining within
the EU as a full member
looks unarguable.
Access to the single
European market,
which is a major
destination
for Scotland’s
exports and a
major source
of goods and
services, would
be central to
future Scottish
economic policy. Our
place within Europe is a
key factor in inward investment;
we would remain a substantial
beneficiary of European funding;
and the flow of people and skills
in both directions would create
huge opportunities. I believe
Scotland also understands the
wider political case for the EU,
and its record in cementing peace
across the whole of Europe and
in developing a European culture
alongside existing national and
regional cultures. For Scotland,
there are no credible alternatives –
the option of joining countries like
Norway in the European Economic
Area has few attractions, given that
it involves most of the costs and
responsibilities of EU membership
without involvement in the
decisions.
The road by which an independent
Scotland would become a
member of the EU faces awkward
obstacles. It would require complex
negotiation with all member
states within the framework of the
European Treaties: the EU is based
on agreements between states, not
peoples. It still seems likely that
most other member states would
welcome Scotland, but there are no
guarantees and it is already clear
that there would b