ANGUS Robertson has told the German press he believes that Scottish independence and Irish unification are likely within the next decade.
The External Affairs Secretary told the German Press Agency, in an interview reported by Saarbrucker Zeitung, that it was “realistic” that a united Ireland and an independent Scotland would be members of the EU by 2035.
He said: “I think it's entirely realistic that within a decade both Scotland and a united Ireland will be part of the European Union.”
But he said that Westminster would “find plenty of reasons to say: Now is not the right time”.
The SNP have set the bar for a mandate to hold another referendum as their party gaining a majority of seats at next year’s Holyrood election.
Robertson added: “We are pushing for a referendum so we can make a decision, so we can rejoin the European Union.”
The SNP minister told the German outlet that his party “want it to happen as soon as possible”, adding: “It will happen.”
Elsewhere, he said that the Scottish Government wanted close ties with the EU and Germany in particular.
Robertson said that Scotland sought to export its natural energy resources, adding that “we are very interested in doing this for Germany”.
“But progress still needs to be made before the pipelines can be realized,” he added.
The minister is in regular contact with German ministries and companies, according to the Saarbrucker Zeitung.
