SNP National Assembly met in Cumbernauld today [Saturday] to discuss current developments in Europe, including enlargement and the draft European Constitution and its implications for Scotland.

Speaking at the meeting, Shadow Minister for Europe, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, argued that these developments make the case for Independence in Europe more compelling than ever before.

Addressing delegates, Ms Sturgeon said:

" The Europe of the future is taking shape before our very eyes.

“ Scotland must decide now whether it wants to be a player in these crucial developments and within the new Europe that emerges, or a mere bystander on the sidelines of discussions that will shape and define our relationship with Europe for generations to come.

“ The draft EU constitution enshrines the powers of national Parliaments. The problem for Scotland is that the Scottish Parliament, in the context of the EU, is not a national Parliament.

“ Member states, post-constitution as is the case now, will be the collective decision-makers on policy. Unless Scotland is a member state in our own right, we will always be outsiders looking in.

“ Scotland should not settle for the second class status that the draft constitution bestows on regional parliaments. Our place is at the top table and there has never been a better time than now to make that case.

“ Post enlargement, the EU will be – even more than it is now – a Union of small nations. 70% of all member states will have populations of less than 10 million.

“ 7 out of 10 of the countries poised to join have populations similar to or smaller than Scotland. If Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Cyprus, Malta, can and will have seats at the top table, why not Scotland?

“ Independence in Europe is a vision for Scotland that's time has come and the SNP must lead the debate with vigour and courage.

“ The SNP is passionately pro-European. We believe in an enlarged, confederal Europe, not a bureaucratic super-state. But we are, more than anything - and this is what matters most - pro-Scotland in Europe.

“ The question for the SNP is not, and never should be, whether we are in Europe or out of it. Euro-scepticism is a dead end. The question is how we make sure that Scotland's voice is heard and her influence felt where the decisions are taken.

“ Our fishing industry need protection, for example, but without independent representation there is no one there to do it. Tony Blair would much rather hold out against common foreign and defence policies than protect Scotland's vital national resources.

“ Scotland's future is at the heart of Europe. Only if we are there at the top tables can we help build the kind of Europe that we want and then play our full part in it.

“ The case for Scotland, independent in Europe, has never been more compelling."

Ends.

Note to Readers

National Assembly is the SNP’s forum for the development of policy within the party at which policy is debated and discussed, before being presented to the party for approval at National Council or Annual National Conference.