Scotland seeks to maintain relationship with EU after Brexit vote

Scottish First Minister Nicoal Sturgeon said Friday that the EU vote "makes clear that the people of Scotland see their future as part of the European Union (EU)" after all Scotland's 32 local authority areas returned majorities for Remain.

"Scotland has delivered a strong, unequivocal vote to remain in the EU, and I welcome that endorsement of our European status," said Sturgeon.

She noted that Scotland contributed significantly to the Remain vote across Britain, which reflects the positive campaign the ruling Scottish National Party (SNP) fought and highlighted the gains and benefits of Britain's EU membership, and that people across Scotland responded to that positive message.

"Scotland has spoken, and spoken decisively," said the SNP leader after Scotland votes 62 percent in favor of remaining in the EU.

Sturgeon had suggested that a Leave vote for Britain might re-ignite demands for another Scottish independence referendum after the majority of Scots chose to stay in Britain in the 2014 independence referendum.

The Scottish government will seek to maintain Scotland's relationship with the EU after voters in Scotland overwhelmingly backed Remain, Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop said, warning that the EU vote outcome will have consequences and many Scots who opted to stay in Britain two years ago will now be re-assessing their decision.

Britain voted on Thursday in a historic referendum to leave the EU after 43 years in the bloc. The Leave campaign got about 52 percent of the votes, against 48 percent for Remain. Endi