Norbert Spinrath, who represents the Social Democratic Party on the Bundestag's EU committee, said it could take years for Scotland to become a member after it become independent but EU officials are looking for a way to speed it up.



"We are looking with a lot of experts for a way for Scotland, in the case of having a positive referendum, to make it more quick ... but at this time we have no idea if it is possible on the treaty side and the legal conditions," Spinrath told BuzzFeed News.



He continued: "We have discussed it in Germany and also in Brussels. I’m in Brussels today and there have been a lot of political meetings here, and this was one of the issues – Brexit first, but second also a way for Scotland to step in."

Spinrath held discussions with EU commissioners and "high-ranking officials" from the European Commission and Council who he said were unanimously positive about Scotland's future entry, but some were sceptical it would be quick.

"The people are in favour here – all these politicians, all high-ranked officers that we talked to," said Spinrath. "They say 'we recognise the willing of the Scottish people to be in the EU and we accept this and we welcome this because they are very close to us and to the European spirit'.

"Therefore it would not only be nice but be good and, for the European view, necessary to have them in."

Detlef Sief, the spokesperson on Germany's EU committee for Angela Merkel's party the Christian Democratic Union, also confirmed to BuzzFeed News that he had held informal discussions in Brussels regarding an independent Scotland's future entry to the union.



"We all know that [Brexit] would not be a good way and Scotland is a country who supports the EU and who has the understanding of an EU member," said Sief. "It's a country that works together in the spirit of peace, of cooperation, and understanding of people – not only in economic projects like some politicians in England believe."

While he made clear that Scottish independence is an internal matter for the UK, and said he was unsure independence was a good idea during the complicated Brexit process, he added that Germany would most likely back Scotland's entry if it was to become an independent country.