Europe’s committee wants to deepen cooperation with Scotland

Scotland will elect a new parliament in May and the Scottish National Party SNP is currently the head of the election. It wants to return to the European Union. With an independent Scotland, without the United Kingdom – but in close partnership with Bavaria.

This was confirmed by SNP politician Joan McAlpine, who was the guest of the European Committee of Parliament. There MEPs were open to the EU’s withdrawal in Scotland, including free voters to Committee Chairman Tobias Gothard: “If the Scots want to, the Scots should also have a chance to return to the European Union.”

Rinderspace: Return depends on many conditionals

European policy spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group, Marcus Rinderspace, Scotland’s withdrawal to the EU is still fraught with questions: “When Scott declares he wants to become a member of the European Union after holding an independence referendum” And finally, London agrees, so we would certainly welcome it if the Scots were too close to Europe or a member of the European Union. “

Bom: See the United Kingdom as a community

On the other hand, FFD MP Martin Böhm is a critic of independent Scotland: “We see the United Kingdom as a community and I worry about whether it will be so good for the future of this federation if the United Kingdom splits Apart. “

Regional Parliaments have a shared history

Over the next few years, Bavaria will initially rely on close cooperation and will also refer to common history.

The Scottish Regional Parliament was established in 1998. At the time, the Bavarian State Parliament made its rules of procedure available as a blueprint – and has since been regarded as the godfather of parliament in Edinburgh.

Historical relations have become even more important since Brexit. This was emphasized by Gothard, the chairman of the committee. The Scots have made their European orientation clear in recent years, says Gotthardt, and now they want to deal with topics such as artificial intelligence or innovation in the future.

“Every upheaval is also a new beginning. And now that we are a strong partner, this is really an opportunity to build something new on these ruins left by Brexit.” (Tobias Gothard, Free Voters)

Scottish MP McAlpine is also counting on a fresh start when Great Britain has withdrawn from the European Exchange Program for Students’ Erasmus Plus.

Greens and SPD want to strengthen student exchanges

Scotland back to Erasmus – Bavaria will also benefit from this, SPD politician Rindershekar explained: “There are more than 150,000 European Union students in Great Britain who are currently facing the question: Hmm, studying on the island would be more expensive And it will be more difficult and it is good if we advocate in the immediate area of ​​influence. “

Support also comes from the Greens. When it comes to Erasmus, cooperation with European partners is visible directly to the citizens of Bavaria, with Florian Siekmann stating: “Great Britain and Scotland are the most popular in Bavaria for school children, students and trainees here One of the sites. We are fully one. We want to maintain close contact. “

The European Committee in a resolution outlined close ties in the state’s parliament. For Gothard, chairman of the committee, the cornerstone of a long-term partnership has been renewed – despite or in particular Due to Brexit.