[ChristmasNeeve]

Originally Posted by Adam.

But the EU were very unreasonable

In what way?

[Denver]

When the crisis came, the IMF provided bailout funds to Greece on the condition that it introduce painful economic reforms, which have kept it in economic depression ever since. However, going against IMF rules, these reforms were enforced without the offer of debt relief, despite the clear unsustainability of Greece’s long-term debt. Greeks saw their wages and welfare benefits slashed, further reducing the country’s ability to service its debt. As a result, the Greek economy has shrunk by roughly 30 per cent in the past six years. Eventually, in 2012, a plan for restructuring was agreed. But by then, the damage had been done. Greece’s debt obligations were spiralling out of control.

[ChristmasNeeve]

And what have happened to Greece if they werent in the EU and got no bail out when recession hit?

[Denver]

They would have most likely done it the hard way which would have ended up the best way

[Denver]

So why didn’t the IMF follow its usual course of action and offer some debt relief to beleaguered Greece? As the report notes, the IMF recognised in 2013 that ‘upfront debt restructuring would have been better for Greece’. However, this did not go ahead because it was deemed ‘not acceptable to the Euro partners’. Brussels, the report admits, was not prepared to risk revealing the unviability of the Eurozone project. The IMF duly obliged. Greece’s economy – and the people and businesses that comprise it – were to be sacrificed, lest the weakness of the Euro become clear.

[Greg!]

Originally Posted by Cherie

You can't be part of the EU and pick and choose who you trade with, it's quite complex if you leave the UK you will have to reapply to join the EU and that could take years so you would neither have the single market or a trade deal with the UK to begin with, Spain has already said they would block Scotland as an Indy country joining, it would be even more of a mess than Brexit if that's possible

Spain has never said they would block Scotland. Their PM said the Scottish situation is very different from Catalonia and a senior member of the ruling Spanish party said Scotland wouldn't be blocked. The head negotiator for Brexit in the EU parliament said that Scotland would be fast-tracked as they already meet most of the criteria for joining.

[Brillopad]

Nicola sturgeon is a hypocrite. Got her knickers in a right twist about Britain voting for independence from Europe but pushing for independence from Britain when half of Scots don't want it.

It' s about what she wants , not Scotland, Britain or anyone else.

[Denver]

Originally Posted by Greg!

Spain has never said they would block Scotland. Their PM said the Scottish situation is very different from Catalonia and a senior member of the ruling Spanish party said Scotland wouldn't be blocked. The head negotiator for Brexit in the EU parliament said that Scotland would be fast-tracked as they already meet most of the criteria for joining.

Scotland will not be fast tracked it has already been said they will have to apply and wait like everyone else

[Denver]

Also what criteria does Scotland meet?

[Greg!]

Well for one, it's been in the EU for the past 30 or so years so already adheres to EU laws and regulations.

[Greg!]

Originally Posted by Adam.

Scotland will not be fast tracked it has already been said they will have to apply and wait like everyone else

We wouldn't have to wait very long though, that's the point I'm making

[Cherry Christmas]

Originally Posted by Greg!

Spain has never said they would block Scotland. Their PM said the Scottish situation is very different from Catalonia and a senior member of the ruling Spanish party said Scotland wouldn't be blocked. The head negotiator for Brexit in the EU parliament said that Scotland would be fast-tracked as they already meet most of the criteria for joining.

It was one of today's news headlines

Spain says independent Scotland would be at back of the EU queue
‘We prefer things to stay as they are,’ foreign minister says.
By CYNTHIA KROET 3/14/17, 1:41 PM CET Updated 3/14/17, 3:54 PM CET
Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis on Tuesday said an independent Scotland would be at the back of the queue if it wants to join the European Union.

“Spain supports the integrity of the United Kingdom and does not encourage secession or divisions in any of the member states. We prefer things to stay as they are,” Dastis said, according to the Guardian.

The minister, on a visit to Latin America, was asked about Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement Monday that she intends to hold a second independence referendum and wants Scots to vote on their future in the EU before the U.K. leaves the bloc.

Dastis said Scotland “would have to queue, meet the requirements for entry, hold negotiations and the result would be that these negotiations would take place.”

[Greg!]

Originally Posted by Cherie

It was one of today's news headlines

Spain says independent Scotland would be at back of the EU queue
‘We prefer things to stay as they are,’ foreign minister says.
By CYNTHIA KROET 3/14/17, 1:41 PM CET Updated 3/14/17, 3:54 PM CET
Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis on Tuesday said an independent Scotland would be at the back of the queue if it wants to join the European Union.

“Spain supports the integrity of the United Kingdom and does not encourage secession or divisions in any of the member states. We prefer things to stay as they are,” Dastis said, according to the Guardian.

The minister, on a visit to Latin America, was asked about Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement Monday that she intends to hold a second independence referendum and wants Scots to vote on their future in the EU before the U.K. leaves the bloc.

Dastis said Scotland “would have to queue, meet the requirements for entry, hold negotiations and the result would be that these negotiations would take place.”

Where does it say they'd block Scotland? All it says is that Scotland would need to apply and meet the requirements, which we already knew.

[Denver]

Originally Posted by Greg!

Well for one, it's been in the EU for the past 30 or so years so already adheres to EU laws and regulations.

They were in the EU as part of another country so it is totally different.

Scotland can not finacially give anything towards the EU

[Cherry Christmas]

Originally Posted by Greg!

Where does it say they'd block Scotland? All it says is that Scotland would need to apply and meet the requirements, which we already knew.

With Spains history they won't make it easy and and I see no fast tracking as you suggested

[Cherry Christmas]

Originally Posted by Greg!

We wouldn't have to wait very long though, that's the point I'm making

How long do you think?

[Greg!]

Originally Posted by Cherie

With Spains history they won't make it easy and and I see no fast tracking as you suggested

Don't take my word for it. Many prominent people in the EU have said so, including this moustached LEGEND today

[Denver]

It isnt down to one person

[Greg!]

Mess I didn't know there was a snippet of Freddy mercury at the end of that tweet

[Greg!]

Originally Posted by Adam.

It isnt down to one person

Lots of EU figures have said the same thing including the head negotiator Guy (forgot his second name).

[Greg!]

Originally Posted by Greg!

Lots of EU figures have said the same thing including the head negotiator Guy (forgot his second name).

Found him
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/po...es-8796253.amp

[Denver]

Countries who are part of the EU get their say also

[Greg!]

And none of them have ever said they'd block Scotland

[Denver]

Non of them have ever said they would give them a free pass

[Greg!]

Incorrect! Lots of prominent people from loads of countries have said it would be straightforward for Scotland to get in. No one from any European government have said they'd veto Scotland's entry