Scottish independence: Alex Salmond outlines global role vision

Published on 18/02/2012 14:22

AN INDEPENDENT Scotland would be a “good world citizen”, according to First Minister Alex Salmond.

Speaking in an interview with Sir David Frost for Al Jazeera, Mr Salmond outlined how Scotland would fulfil its international responsibilities in areas like defence, overseas aid and technology transfer.

Mr Salmond said: “We’ll continue to be the best of neighbours, the best of friends with all of the other countries in these islands, but we’re also determined to be good world citizens.

“We want to be fully participating in the European Union and in the international community.

“With independence, Scotland gets a prosperous economy and a just society and the ability to determine our own future.”

On defence, the First Minister said they would be “attuned” to the needs of the country and Scotland would co-operate with allies across the world.

He added: “We would be happy and willing to take part in international operations if sanctioned by the United Nations.

“One of the ambitions we have is to see Scotland as a good world citizen, a country not prepared to sanction or to endorse illegal conflicts like the war in Iraq, but a country, of course, willing to help in UN sanctions, operations, to lend a helping hand.

“Not just in military or in peacekeeping operations, but also in terms of our international obligations of aid policy and technology transfer - which perhaps above all is where Scotland can make a good contribution to this planet as a good world citizen.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: “I am sure Scotland would be a good world citizen, that should not surprise anyone.

“The real question is whether a separate Scotland would have anything like the influence Scotland has as part of the United Kingdom family.”