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SCOTLAND can confidently expect to become an independent member of the European Union within 18 months of a yes vote in the referendum, according to a veteran EU negotiator.

Scots should dismiss the UK Government's anti-independence "tactics" and the "obscure" statements of European leaders which suggest Scotland could face a lengthy period outside the EU, European Commission honorary director general Graham Avery said.

Scotland does not need opt-outs of the euro or Schengen passport-free travel area because it cannot be compelled to join them, he said.

It is difficult to predict the outcome of the "complicated" negotiation that would be required to retain a share of the UK's budget rebate, and doing it in 18 months would be "tough but realistic", he said.

Mr Avery negotiated the UK's entry into the European Community in the 1970s, wrote the membership applications of 14 other countries and the framework for 19 accession negotiations.

Better Together members bowed to his "superior knowledge on Europe" and "incredible background" but said his opinions have been "in effect ruled out" by the European Commission and come with no guarantees..

Mr Avery has joined the growing ranks of EU experts verbally sparring over Scotland's future at Holyrood's European and External Relations Committee.

Last week, three eminent lawyers challenged the SNP's claim that it could secure seamless entry to the EU through an amendment under Article 48 of the Lisbon Treaty.

They were dismissed by former European Court judge Sir David Edward who said the UK would have an "obligation" to secure Scotland's continuing membership, a view echoed by Mr Avery.

He said: "I consider, along with Sir David Edward, that Article 48 would be applicable and I confidently predict that in the event of a yes vote the EU will consider whether to use it."

He said the UK Government's position on Scotland in Europe so far has been "perplexing" and "absurd".

"There is an important element of tactics because the main parties at Westminster are against independence," he said.

"If and when the result of the referendum is in favour of independence then it seems to me perfectly clear that the Westminster government and Whitehall machine will move into action very smartly to find a reasonable solution."

He added: "When you prepare for a negotiation of this kind you shouldn't spend too much time listening to what the other party says, you should try to figure out what his or her real interests are. It's interests that will determine the negotiations."

Ejecting Scotland from the EU would make UK-Scottish relations "quite chaotic", Spain "wouldn't be very amused" if Scotland left the EU common fisheries policy, European citizens and businesses in Scotland would be "in a right mess" and the EU as a whole would face "a legal nightmare", he said.

Labour MSP Hanzala Malik said: "I respect your knowledge in this area, you come with an incredible background which is very valuable to us."

Conservative MSP Jamie McGrigor said: "I bow to your superior knowledge on Europe.

"But can you give any guarantee that Article 48 would be used?

"The opt-outs that the UK currently enjoys such as the rebate and Schengen, do you consider that Scotland would still enjoy these?"

Mr Avery said: "It's not for me as a private citizen to give any kind of guarantee on that.

"The rebate in both technical and political terms would be the most difficult question.

"There is no way that the EU can oblige new members to join the euro or the Schengen zone. An opt-out isn't necessary."

European Council president Herman van Rompuy and European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso have said the EU treaties would not apply to any part of a member state that splits off.

Mr Avery said: "What Mr Barroso and Mr Van Rompuy have said is true but it's not the whole truth.

"It's elliptical, the meaning is rather obscure and partly hidden. Although Mr Barroso has been asked in the European Parliament to comment on Article 48 he has refrained entirely."

Labour MSP Patricia Ferguson said using Article 48 to secure membership "is still a possibility".

But she added: "My assertion would be that senior members have in effect ruled it out with their comments."