MOSCOW, September 19 (RIA Novosti) – NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen expressed respect for the choice that the Scottish people made in their independence referendum, saying that the United Kingdom will contribute significantly to keeping the alliance strong.
"I fully respect the choice that the people of Scotland have made in yesterday's referendum," Rasmussen said in a statement published on the official NATO website Friday.
"I welcome Prime Minister Cameron's statement that the United Kingdom will go forward as a united country," Rasmussen added.
"The United Kingdom is a founding member of NATO, and I am confident that the United Kingdom will continue to play a leading role to keep our Alliance strong," the secretary general said.
Earlier on Friday, UK Prime Minister David Cameron vowed to deliver on broader devolution of power to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in the next parliament.
"It is absolutely right that a new and fair settlement for Scotland should be accompanied by a new and fair settlement that applies to all parts of our United Kingdom," Cameron said.
With all ballots counted, Scotland has chosen to stay in the United Kingdom with 44.7 percent of Scottish people having voted in support of independence and 55.3 percent having voted against.
The independence referendum, which took place on Thursday, September 18, saw a turnout of 84.59 percent.
