Aberdeen status as Europe’s energy capital is not in doubt following Brexit, according to Conservative MEP Ian Duncan.
The Scottish MEP, who campaigned to remain in the EU, is the party’s energy and climate change spokesman.
Dr Duncan said he believed Aberdeen would continue to be the main energy hub for Europe.
He said: “Aberdeen is Europe’s energy capital because of its expertise and because oil is a globally-traded commodity.
“As for other energy sources like renewables, a lot of those subsidies are UK-wide and there is no reason they can’t be reconfigured.
“Scotland is already ahead on renewables.”
Dr Duncan, former secretary of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, also suggested the Norwegian model could be followed by Scottish fishermen to give the industry a boost.
He said: “I would look very much to Norway, which already has bilateral negotiations with the EU.
“These will have to become trilateral because the single most important player in the EU is us, Scotland.
“People fishing in our waters will have to abide by rules set by the Scottish Government, because fisheries will be fully devolved.”Fishermen should see this as a great opportunity.”
Dr Duncan stressed most Scottish fish is sold to EU countries, so trade negotiations will be important.
He said: “The bulk of fish caught in Scottish waters is not eaten in Scotland – 80% of Scottish langoustine ends up on a dinner plate in France or Spain.”
However, Dr Duncan said the UK is in a better bargaining position for other trade deals than Norway or similar non-EU countries like Switzerland.
He said: “The UK is the single biggest trading partner with Germany and the biggest drinkers of French wine are the UK. Negotiations will be very difficult, but the UK shouldn’t be treated like these smaller economies.”
