Scotland will not be an EU member state if it becomes independent, according to European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.

In a statement that apparently also affects Catalonia, the European Commission has confirmed its view that EU membership would no longer apply to any territory within its boundaries which became independent after leaving a larger member state.

Barroso has used a written answer to Labour MEP David Martin to say he stands by the commission's view, given in 2004, which declared that a newly independent nation within the EU would "become a third country with respect to the Union".

That statement also declared that, for such new countries, "treaties would, from the day of its independence, no longer apply on its territory", The Scotsman informs.

However, Scottish officials have stated that the negotiations with the UK would be settled at about the same time as those with the EU, ensuring a seamless move to independence in around 2016.

In May, supporters of independence for Scotland launched a campaign which they hope will lead to the demise of a 305-year-old union with England, as part of the United Kingdom.

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