‘Former European Council president Donald Tusk says Brussels feels “empathy” towards an independent Scotland joining the European Union.
Nicola Sturgeon has said an independent Scotland would seek full EU membership.
When asked if this would be looked upon favourably, Mr Tusk said, “emotionally I have no doubt that everyone will be enthusiastic”.
It came as other European leaders expressed sadness at the UK leaving the EU.
French President Emmanuel Macron said he was”deeply sad” while the EU’s Guy Verhofstadt pledged to try and “ensure the EU is a project you’ll want to be a part of again”.
But Mr Tusk warned that any future entry bid on the part of an independent Scotland would not be automatically accepted.
Mr Tusk’s comments come after his predecessor, Herman Van Rompuy, last year said he believes Brexit has changed EU attitudes to Scottish independence.
The UK government does not support Scottish government calls for another independence referendumor rejoining the EU in any form.
Britain officially left the European Union on Friday at 23:00 GMT after 47 years of membership, and more than three years after it voted to do so in a referendum.
Scotland voted in favour of the UK staying in the EU by 62% to 38% in 2016.’
Read More: ‘Empathy’ for independent Scotland joining the EU says Tusk
