Nicola Sturgeon Will Ask European Union to Maintain Links With Scotland

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon urged Scottish lawmakers on Tuesday to back her bid to protect Scotland’s place in Europe.

She is seeking a cross-party mandate from the Scottish parliament in Holyrood to pursue discussions with the European Parliament— where she plans to discuss how Scotland can protect its place in the E.U. “Scotland spoke clearly for Remain and I am determined that Scotland’s voice will be heard,” she told the Scottish Parliament.

Sturgeonwill travel to Brussels on Wednesday for talks with European Parliament President Martin Schulz about remaining in the E.U. No other British officials will be present at the meeting and Sturgeon will discuss whether Scotland will be able maintain access to the E.U. while also being a part of the U.K., or if independence is required.

Sturgeon said last Friday that the Scottish government would prepare for a second independence referendum. Scotland voted in favor of the U.K. remaining in the E.U. by 62% to 38%.