Labour MEP Miriam Dalli has joined a group of 50 European politicians calling for fast-track EU membership for a future independent Scotland.

In a letter to the Scottish Parliament, the cross-party group made clear that the question of independence from the UK was “for the people of Scotland to decide”, but pledged its support for a “swift, smooth, and orderly” transition should the country seek to maintain its EU membership post-Brexit.

Miriam Dalli and other politicians are calling for fast-track EU membership for an independent Scotland.

“The letter was sent to let the Scottish people know there are parliamentarians from across the political spectrum and Europe who are ready to welcome Scotland with open arms and help facilitate a smooth transition should they ever take the decision to join the EU,” Dr Dalli told the Times of Malta.

While respecting the democratic decision in favour of Brexit, Dr Dalli said it was important not to overlook that Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain, insisting that the next decision “must be up to the Scottish people, and no one else”. The Scottish Parliament has approved plans for a second independence referendum l, but UK Prime Minister Theresa May said another vote should not be discussed during Brexit negotiations.

In its letter, the group of 50 – including MEPs and MPs from Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Sweden, Greece, Hungary and Malta – said Scotland would be “most welcome” as a full member, while its citizens continue to benefit the rights and protections they currently enjoy.

“Democracy and mutual respect are at the heart of the European project, and so, whilst we are saddened by the vote of a small majority for the UK to leave, we respect this as a democratic decision of UK citizens,” the group said.

“We regret that the UK’s government has chosen to follow the path of a ‘hard Brexit’ and has so far refused to properly take into account the preferences of Scottish citizens in the withdrawal process. 

Therefore, if Scotland were to become an independent country and decided to seek to maintain EU membership, we would offer our full support to ensure the transition is as swift, smooth, and orderly as possible.”

The politicians’ letter comes after Spain’s Foreign Minister said last week the country would not block attempts by Scotland to apply for EU membership. Spain has long opposed Scottish independence due to its own concerns over a separatist Catalonia.