Stoltenberg: an independent Scotland will lose membership in NATO
The country will be able to send a request to join the Alliance, but positive action is not taken automatically.
MOSCOW, March 13. /TASS/. Scotland will lose membership in NATO and will have to re-apply for membership in the Alliance in the event of independence. This was stated by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in an interview to Sky News, commenting on the statement made by the first Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon about plans for a new referendum on independence of this part of the UK.
“If this happens (if the people of Scotland will vote for independence in a referendum — approx. TASS), then the United Kingdom will remain a member of NATO, but a new independent state will have to apply for membership, and then the 28 allied countries will decide whether they want membership in the Alliance of the new state, because all decisions in NATO are taken by consensus,” — said Stoltenberg.
On the question of whether the question of the entry of Scotland into NATO resolved automatically, the NATO Secretary General said: “No, it’s not going to happen automatically because, after leaving the United Kingdom, it (Scotland — approx. TASS) is also out of NATO. But, of course, apply for membership absolutely possible.”