It came as Constitution Minister Mike Russell published a Government paper in Brussels, entitled Europe and Foreign Affairs, the latest stage of the SNP administration’s national conversation on an independence referendum.

But Labour today hit out at the move and claimed the Nationalists’ plans would diminish Scotland’s influence.

The paper today says that citizenship in Scotland would be based on an “inclusive” model.

It adds: “Given Scotland’s close ties to the other parts of the British Isles a positive approach to dual citizenship would be essential.

“And given the existence of EU citizenship consideration could also be given to the creation of enhanced citizenship arrangements with the nations of the UK.”

This could include rights such as voting entitlements, along the lines of the current set-up which gives Irish Republic citizens rights to vote in the UK.

Labour’s Scotland Office Minister Ann McKechin today said Scotland is “arguably” the most influential small nation in the world.

But she warned: “One of the few things that is clear from the Scottish Government paper today is that they want to put an end to that.

“Instead of being a member of the G8, G20 and UN Security Council we would be on the outside looking in.

“Instead of being a major EU power, with the voting strength to match, we would be aspiring to negotiate our way into the bottom tier of EU members.”

The Labour minister said the paper failed to clear up how many embassies a separate Scotland would have and in how many countries, as well as their staffing levels and overall cost.

Today’s paper sets out options on the constitutional future from maintaining the current arrangements, through to greater devolution or full independence.

“I believe that independence is the best option to move Scotland forward, allowing us to take a full and active role in the international community, as other countries do, and develop a distinctive foreign policy based on Scottish security, political, social and economic concerns,” Mr Russell told an audience in Brussels.

The SNP says there would be no barriers to an independent Scotland remaining part of the EU and plan to do so.

Mr Russell also said that Scottish taxpayers contributed £568 million to the UK Government’s “international services” in 2007.

“An independent Scotland could decide for itself an appropriate level of expenditure on these or other services,” he added.