As ballot for depute closes Angus Robertson speaks to German SPD to make case for Scotland in EU
REPRESENTATIVES of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) have emphasised their view that Scotland should remain in the European Union (EU).
The words of encouragement followed the visit of Angus Robertson to the party’s conference in Bavaria where it has been deciding matters of policy and wrestling with the controversy of the party’s support for trade deals such as the Canada-EU agreement (CETA).
Angus Robertson went in place of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and made the case for Scotland to be considered in German calculations on the Brexit negotiations. The SPD are part of the German coalition government.
Markus Rinderspucher, head of the Bayern SPD, told the meeting that the sentiments expressed where those of the whole party.
He said: "We welcome Angus Robertson and we want Scotland to remain in the European Union."
Robertson said that it was important for all to know that Scotland remained a European nation.
He said: "Scotland sees itself in the heart of Europe and that it should not be dragged out of Europe against our will."
Talking to CommonSpace, the contender for depute said: "It is events like these, speaking to other European countries and deputising for the leader of our party which are so vitally important to the progress towards Independence."
"We will look to forge new relationships with one of the partners in Germany's coalition government to ensure that we can maintain Scotland's place in the single market."
Scotland voted to remain within the EU by a majority of 62 per cent in June, when the UK as a whole voted to leave the EU by a majority of 52 per cent.
Also present at the meeting of officials and experts was the foreign minister of Luxembourg Jean Asselborn who stressed the importance of unity in the face of the threat of the disintegration of the 28 member bloc of European states.
Picture courtesy of BayernSPD
Video courtesy of Paul Robertson
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