Yes and No balloons are held by opposite supporters at a rally in Glasgow, Scotland, 17 September: photo - EPA/ANDY RAIN
“Knowing your experience and effectiveness in pursuit of agreements we appeal to you that in the case of Scotland democratically voting to become independent you will support the notion of uninterrupted membership for Scotland of the European Union,” the group of pro-Scottish independence Poles say in an open letter to Polish prime minister Donald Tusk, who was elected to lead the EU's European Council earlier this month.
“"We are troubled by the almost open resentment against immigrants, especially Poles, shown by the politicians of the main British political parties jointly trying to keep Scotland in the United Kingdom,” the letter continues.
There are anything up to 70,000 Poles currently living in Scotland, with around 30,000 eligible to vote in Thursday independence referendum, the result of which is “too close to call” according to pollsters.
The results of the referendum will be known in the early hours of Friday morning.
With UK prime minister David Cameron's government seeking to renegotiate British terms of membership of the EU, including changing migration rules, the pro-Scottish independence Poles, led by actor Tomek Barkowy, argue that Poles' place in an independent Scotland would be more secure than in the UK as a whole.
“That's why many of us will vote for independence in the referendum, and also because the Scottish Government treats us as equals with other citizens of this country, and guarantees Poles full rights regardless of the outcome of the referendum,” the open letter says.
Polling stations in Scotland, which opened at 7 am local time, will close at 10 pm tonight (23.00 CET).
Turnout is expected to be high.
Donald Tusk, who has been prime minister of Poland for the last seven years, will take up his role as head of the European Council in Brussels, taking over from Herman Van Rompuy, in December. (pg)