Scottish First Minister reassures EU nationals in Scotland

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Tuesday reassured European Union (EU) nationals in Scotland that they are welcome and their contributions are valued.

Speaking after her meeting with consuls and diplomats from EU countries, as well as business organizations, Sturgeon said:" We will pursue every option to protect Scotland's position in Europe and, by extension, the interests of EU citizens who live and work here. I call again on the Prime Minister, and the potential candidates to succeed him, to give an immediate guarantee that the existing rights of the 173,000 EU nationals in Scotland will be protected."

She pledged to continue the program of engagement with EU communities in Scotland and issue an open letter to EU nationals to state that "wherever they live and whatever they do, they are welcome here, now and in the future."

"While the path ahead is uncertain, every part of the EU must know that Scotland remains part of the EU and an attractive and stable place to do business, with a fundamentally strong economy. I agree with business organizations that we need to get that clear, unequivocal message out and also about the long term importance to Scotland of the EU, the single market and free movement," said Sturgeon.

On June 29, Sturgeon visited Brussels and met with European Parliament President Martin Schulz and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to set out Scotland's position and interests after the Brexit vote.

In a historic referendum on June 23, Britain voted to leave the EU after 43 years in the bloc. The Leave campaign received 51.9 percent of the votes, against 48.1 percent for the Remain side.

However, Scotland voted 62 percent in favor of remaining in the EU, with the majority in each council of its 32 local authority areas voting to remain. Endit