THE best future for Scotland will be as an independent country inside the European Union, the External Affairs Secretary has said.
Angus Robertson issued the statement as the Scottish Government marked Europe Day.
The annual event celebrates peace and unity on the continent.
He warned that the UK risked being “marooned” outside the economic bloc as he hailed Scotland’s “long-standing shared values” with Europe.
He said: “On Europe Day, we celebrate a lifetime of peace in Europe, achieved in no small part by the creation of the European Union.
“With war having again returned to our continent, now is the time to stand together and heal the divisions of the past.
“We are unwavering in our belief that Scotland’s best future lies as an independent country within the European Union.
“The current global economic volatility simply reinforces the importance of Scotland having the security, stability and opportunity that comes with EU membership.
“Without it, Scotland and the UK risk being marooned outside of the world’s largest single market.”
Robertson said becoming a member of the EU again would reduce barriers to trade, bring free flows of data and reduce bureaucracy.
He added: “We would have access to a larger labour market with no restrictions on employing EU citizens to work in Scotland, sustaining businesses, universities, communities and public services.
“In the short term the UK Government must negotiate the most ambitious deal possible with the EU at the upcoming summit meeting, including a comprehensive agreement to boost food and drink exports, a commitment to rejoin Erasmus+ and greater co-operation on energy.”
Lorna Slater, the co-leader of the Scottish Greens, said the case for developing closer ties to the EU “grows stronger each day” amid the “threat” posed by the far-right.
She said: “Europe Day gives us a space to reflect on Scotland’s past, present and future.
“Before Nigel Farage’s Brexit party and the Tories made the disastrous decision to take us out of the European Union, we were able to enjoy the opportunities and connections offered by freedom of movement.
“Five years later we are still picking up the pieces of a Brexit that people in Scotland overwhelmingly rejected.
“Limited movement between countries for work and leisure. Skilled worker shortages that result in lots of hurdles to jump over for Europeans’ rights to work in Scotland and vice versa.”
Slater added: “Scotland deserves better. As a self-governing country, we could reconnect with Europe to build strong ties again.
“With the creep of fascism around the world, serious climate breakdown and the UK’s political landscape changing, the case for Scotland to reconnect with the EU grows stronger every day.”
