Scotland has “won the right to be heard in Brussels” said European Union Parliament president Martin Schulz, as Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon attended a series of talks with senior officials this week, reports the BBC.
Mr Schulz said he had "listened carefully and learned a lot" from Ms Sturgeon, who also met with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and Gianni Pitella, the leader of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament.
The talks came amidst stiff opposition from Spanish premier Mariano Rajoy who said he "believes everyone is extremely against” Scotland entering independent talks with the EU. "Spain opposes any negotiation by anyone other than the government of United Kingdom,” he added, stating that it was "very clear Scotland does not have the competence to negotiate with the European Union".
Ms Sturgeon on the other hand said she had received a "sympathetic response" from her meetings.
“I have been here to make sure that Scotland's voice is being heard and that Scotland's position is understood,” she said. “I am confident that is the case - I found doors to be open here today.”
See more from the BBC here.
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