Nicola Sturgeon vowed to keep “fighting” for an independent Scotland in Europe during a visit to Germany yesterday.
The First Minister held talks with business and government figures, five years to the day after Scots voted 55-45 to stay in the UK.
But with the UK now heading out of the EU, Sturgeon said: “At a time when the rule-based international order is under threat, the EU exemplifies the benefits of co-operation and solidarity.
“For all of these reasons, Scotland sees the EU as a natural home.”
Sturgeon met German Europe minister Michael Roth and the German Chambers of Commerce during the visit.
In Scotland, the SNP ’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford campaigned with young voters in Glasgow city centre.
He said Scots should complete the journey to independence.
Blackford added: “I think the people of Scotland recognise that if we are to secure our future as an independent country in Europe that is the best way to protect jobs, that is the best way that we can make sure that we take our responsibilities for climate change and deliver fairness.”
Tory MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston said the First Minister was avoiding problems at home.
He said: “Nicola Sturgeon is in Germany today because, on the fifth anniversary of IndyRef the SNP clearly felt the visuals of her grandstanding in Europe are better than those of her sitting in Parliament as her Government is held to account for the growing NHS hospitals scandal.”
