The Scottish Government released a paper on Monday to set out Scotland’s place in a post independence world.
An independent Scotland would attempt to negotiate its accession to NATO as soon as possible after independence is confirmed, whilst committing to NATO’s 2 per cent spending of GDP on Defence.
The 11th white paper was launched by the Scottish Minister of External Affairs Angus Robertson, as well as Scottish Independence Minister Jamie Hepburn.
The report outlines the SNP’s goal to amass its own armed forces and join NATO as an independent country.
The white paper proposes the safe removal of nuclear weapons from Scotland, arguing that this would not hinder a prospective Scottish application to NATO.
The SNP, who have long supported the removal of nuclear weapons, claim that the removal of nuclear weapons would not be a hindrance to Scotland joining NATO.
Robertson said that the bases for Trident on the river Clyde in Glasgow would become the headquarters for an independent Scottish armed forces.
The Scottish Greens, who are in a power sharing relationship with the SNP in the Scottish Parliament, are not supportive of an independent Scotland joining NATO.
The Chairman of the Scottish Conservatives Craig Hoy said the plans presented by Angus Robertson were “nonsense”.
On membership enlargement, NATO’s website states that the organisation is open to “any other European state in a position to further the principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area.”
NATO member states agree to Article 5 of The Washington Treaty which states that an attack on one member is an attack on all NATO countries.
The 11th white paper published by the Scottish Government comes amidst warnings from European leaders about the prospect of war with Russia.
“Nuclear Submarine HMS Vanguard Returns to HMNB Clyde, Scotland” by Defence Images is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.