A LEADING European analyst is to draw up a blueprint for what sort of foreign policy would most benefit an independent Scotland.
Anthony Salamone, co-founder of the former Scottish Centre on European Relations, said it is time for consideration to be made on the matter following majority support for independence.
Polls show 54% to 55% of voters support Scotland becoming independent, the latter result reversing the outcome in the 2014 referendum.
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Salamone’s rationale is to provide a focus on how best Scotland can get its voice heard in Europe and the wider world and what can be learnt from similarly sized independent nations such as Ireland, Finland and Denmark.
“This is not about deciding in advance what Scotland’s foreign policy would be – that would be for after a vote for independence. Instead, it’s about providing innovative thinking and bold ideas on the mechanics which could deliver a future foreign policy,” he said.
“The blueprint will address how to construct a values-based foreign policy for Scotland, rooted in support for the European Union, the United Nations and multilateralism. It will consider how to create Scotland’s ministry of foreign affairs and a global footprint of diplomatic missions to represent Scotland, our citizens, interests and values.”
Salamone, who runs the consultancy firm European Merchants, added: “It will set out how to establish productive bilateral relations, integrate Scottish EU membership with foreign policy, and participate in multilateral institutions. The blueprint will look at what Scotland can learn from countries like Ireland, Finland and Denmark in how they conduct their foreign policies and use soft power to multiply their influence.”
The blueprint will be published as a European Merchants Insight Report of 45,000 – 50,000 words. It will be launched by the end of this year.
It will be based on the reasonable scenario that Scotland, having chosen independence, becomes a republic; joins the European Union; and joins the United Nations. It will not assume Scotland’s future relationship with Nato, but it will outline the implications of this eventual decision.
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Under independence, the blueprint will serve as a primary work of reference for the Government of Scotland on how to make a new foreign policy happen in practice.
It will include: l How to construct a values-based foreign policy for Scotland, which will be based on support for the European Union, the United Nations and multilateralism;
l Build Scotland’s ministry of foreign affairs from new foundations: the Department of European and External Relations;
l Create embassies and consulates to represent Scotland across the world;
l Integrate Scottish EU membership with foreign policy.
Salamone has set up a crowdfunder for the project and hopes to raise £25,000.
For more information see, www.crowdfunder.co.uk/scotland-foreign-policy-blueprint
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