Ms Lamont wondered whether there was a Plan B to accompany the proposal that an independent Scotland would form a sterling zone with the remainder of the UK. She wanted details of the fiscal package which would enable Scotland to be neither a borrower nor a lender.

BBC: First minister's questions

As the idea has gained ground that the euro zone might form an EU inner circle, so Europe itself has come to seem more important to Poland.

ECONOMIST: The euro crisis is a threat to non-members too

"With a safe haven would probably come some form of no-fly zone, but we are not planning anything unilaterally, " he said.

BBC: US says Iran training Syrian militia