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European Union and NATO officials expressed undisguised relief on Friday (19 September)at Scotland's clear vote against independence from Britain, but some fretted that the genie of separatism may be out of the bottle in Europe.

EU partners had mostly kept quiet in the run-up to Thursday's referendum, lest their fears of a break-up of the United Kingdom leading to contagion elsewhere in Europe be seized upon as interference.

But as soon as the Scottish "No" was secure, they voiced satisfaction and drew consequences for their own countries, for the 28-nation EU and for the Western alliance.

NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen congratulated British Prime Minister David Cameron and said he was sure the United Kingdom would continue to play a leading role in keeping the US-led defence alliance strong.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, struggling to quash an independence drive by the northwestern region of Catalonia, said the Scottish result was the best outcome for Europe.

"The Scottish have avoided serious economic, social, institutional and political consequences," he said in a video message posted on the government website. "They have chosen the most favourable option for everyone; for themselves, for all of Britain and for the rest of Europe."

Catalan nationalist leader Artur Mas was due to announce his government's plans on Friday for its own independence referendum, which the Spanish government says would be illegal.

Madrid won support from German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday when her spokesman, commenting on the Scottish vote, said Catalonia was "a completely different legal situation" and she supported Rajoy's position.

In Brussels, the European Commission said the Scottish vote was good for a "united, open and stronger Europe" - a veiled message that EU officials hope the outcome will strengthen chances of Britain voting to stay in the bloc in a promised referendum in 2017.

"The European Commission welcomes the fact that during the debate over the past years, the Scottish government and the Scottish people have repeatedly reaffirmed their European commitment," Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said.

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EU and NATO breathes sigh of relief after Scotland 'No' vote