ALEX Salmond's claim that an independent Scotland would automatically be a member of the European Union was thrown into doubt yesterday when the president of the European Com-mission said a "new state" would have to apply for membership.
ALEX Salmond's claim that an independent Scotland would automatically be a member of the European Union was thrown into doubt yesterday when the president of the European Com-mission said a "new state" would have to apply for membership.
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Magnus Gardham Political Editor
Jose Manuel Barroso refused to speculate on indepedence movements within specific member states during an interview on BBC Radio 4.
However, he inisisted: "To join the EU, yes, we have a procedure and it is a procedure in inter-national law. A state has to be a democracy and has to apply to become a member of the EU. All the other member states have to give their consent."
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