THE SNP has argued nuclear proliferation is “not in the best interests of rules-based international order”, in a new paper outlining what they would like to see in Nato's strategy ahead of their Madrid summit.
Highlighting the trend of nuclear non-proliferation agreements and arms control treaties expiring without renewal, SNP has said Nato should “take the lead in strengthening international frameworks of nuclear non-proliferation”.
Elsewhere, SNP’s paper calls for the alliance to pursue the closest possible relationship with the European Union, as two organisations with shared values and interests in the Euro-Atlantic area.
Calling for a renewed focus on the Euro-Atlantic area, the paper highlights the 2021 storming of the US Capitol and arson attacks on 5G phone masts in the UK and argues that Nato must do more to build resilience to so-called “hybrid threats” such as cyber-attacks and disinformation within societies.
SNP’s Defence spokesperson, Stewart McDonald MP said the summit provides an opportunity for the UK Government to “turn the page” on its “troubled relationship” with international law and Europe.
McDonald continued: “Nato and the EU are the twin guarantors of Euro-Atlantic security order. It is long past time the UK government recognises this, brings an end to its petty avoidance of our European neighbours and signs a comprehensive defence and security agreement with the EU.
“As a party that wishes to see Scotland succeed as an independent member of the international community in Nato and the EU, it is vital that we are active participants in the ongoing debate about Euro-Atlantic security.
“These recommendations are made in a genuine spirit of wanting to see strengthened states, societies and systems to best protect all those living under the alliance, including those here in Scotland where support for Nato is in excess of 70%.”
SNP policy states an independent Scotland would ratify the new UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) – which would start an internationally observed process for the removal of all nuclear weapons in each member state.
The Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) has called on the SNP to commit to ensuring the treaty is ratified before it applies for Nato membership.
In a letter published in the Herald, Scottish CND vice-chair Isobel Lindsay wrote: “What is crucial for an independent Scotland is that the TPNW is ratified before any application for Nato membership. If the Trident issue is not clearly settled, there will be enormous pressure on Scotland to change its position, including a UK veto threat.”
Some of these recommendations will come as welcome news to the Scottish Greens, who have previously stated that although they “enthusiastically believe” in co-operation in security and defence matters, the believe nuclear weapons are “evil” and are opposed to Scotland joining the alliance after independence.
West of Scotland MSP Ross Greer said to the BBC earlier this year: “The very existence of nuclear weapons risks the chance of nuclear war.
“If we want to persuade rogue and hostile states to reduce their nuclear stockpiles, asking them to do it, demanding that they do it unilaterally, has no chance of success.”
“This is a fundamental moral question. I don’t want the last thing that my country potentially does in its existence is to wipe another country off the map.”
The SNP and Scottish Greens have “agreed to disagree” on the question of an independent Scotland joining Nato, with the latter opposing membership.
Nato allies will meet to finalise the alliance's strategy for the next decade at the summit, which will be taking place four months since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
