Madrid : Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy Friday congratulated Scotland for the independence referendum result and for its contributions in “respecting legitimacy” which prevented it from the “dangerous consequences” of splitting from the United Kingdom.
Rajoy’s remarks came in a video posted by the Spanish government after it was announced that Scottish residents rejected independence.
Rajoy’s reaction came as the parliament in the northeastern region of Catalonia was to hold a session Friday where it was expected to ratify a draft law calling for a similar referendum which has been rejected by the central Spanish government.
Rajoy stressed that the Scots decided “clearly and unequivocally” that they were still a part of Britain and the European Union (EU).
He added that they did this in a peaceful way respectful of the state’s legitimacy.
“With this decision, the Scots avoided serious economic, social, institutional and political consequences that would have happened after separation from the UK and Europe,” said the prime minister.
Rajoy said that the Scots chose between “segregation and integration, between isolation and openness, between stability and uncertainty, between security and dangers, and have chosen the best option for everyone, for them, for the rest of Europe and for British citizens”.
“As European citizens, we congratulate ourselves because you decided to stay with us, cooperate and participate in the huge political project which is the EU,” he added.
Rajoy asserted that he believed in EU integration because it was the way to overcome “the tragedies of our history” and the challenges ahead.
Pedro Sanchez, secretary general of the main opposition Socialist Party in Spain, said that the Scottish decision was “good news for Europe”.