Scotland's Voice in the EU

As an amendment to motion S4M-09748 in the name of Fiona Hyslop (Scotland's Voice in the EU), leave out from first "Scotland" to end and insert "a strong Scotland being part of a strong United Kingdom with continuing membership of the European Union; believes that the EU has demonstrated that nations must work together if they are to advance progressive policies in relation to workers’ rights and social policy that now apply in all member states as a result of decisions made by the EU; considers that the UK must continue to play its part in the decision making processes of the institution; believes that Scotland’s interests are best advanced through UK membership of the EU; notes concerns expressed by the European Commission President, José Manuel Barroso, who said that it would be "extremely difficult, if not impossible" for an independent Scotland to join the EU, and recognises that an independent Scotland would be unable to negotiate EU membership until March 2016 and that the subsequent transitional arrangements would not be in Scotland’s interests."