Scotland has taken her next step forward to independence – and the eyes of the world are on Scotland this week as we set out our plans for the referendum in Autumn 2014.

Journalists from around the world have been here to report on events, and embassies have sent diplomats to the Scottish Parliament to ensure they are updated on developments.

These international visitors highlight the global interest in Scotland rejoining the family of independent nations – many of whom have become independent in recent decades.

 When the UN was formed there were only around 50 independent countries in the world – now there are almost 200, many of them smaller than Scotland.

With independence Scotland will take its place as a member of that international community, while continuing as a friend and good neighbour to the other nations of these islands.

But while I welcome the international interest, it is the people of Scotland who need to have their say – so I urge all Scottish Sun readers to have their say on the referendum process in the consultation the Scottish Government launched yesterday.

But I also look forward to you having your say in the referendum itself – and I look forward to independence day.

Independence will mean that decisions about what happens in Scotland and for Scotland are taken by the people who care most about Scotland – that is the people living, working and bring up their families in Scotland – no one else can do a better job.

You will be in charge. Our future, our resources, our opportunities will be in our hands.

Independence will give us, the people of Scotland, the opportunity to make decisions in Scotland’s best interests.

And that means we will be able to make Scotland the country we all know it can be – a wealthier and fairer nation. A country that speaks with its own voice, stands taller in the world, and takes responsibility for its own future.

Independence is about Scotland rejoining the family of nations in our own right. We can be both independent and inter-dependent – we can stand on our own two feet, while working closely with other nations, our friends and neighbours.

Scotland’s home rule journey is clearly part of a bigger international trend. After all, independence is what we seek as individuals – whether it is moving out of our parents’ home in our teens or early twenties or buying our first car. It is the natural state for people and nations around the world. Not being independent is the exception.

The Parliament in Edinburgh already takes all the important decisions when it comes to running our schools, hospitals, police and much else besides. Independence will mean we are also responsible for raising our own money.

Scotland is a land of unlimited potential. Our culture, history and reputation for innovation are renowned throughout the world, our universities are world class and our energy resources are unrivalled in Europe.

Indeed, on current figures we would have the sixth highest wealth per head in the developed world. Just think – the UK’s debt has now smashed through the £1 trillion barrier, while at the same time Scotland has a £1 trillion asset base in the shape of North Sea oil and gas.

With independence we will have a new social union with the other nations of these islands. We will keep the pound and will continue to share Her Majesty the Queen as Head of State. But we won’t have our young servicemen and women dragged into illegal wars like Iraq, and we won’t have nuclear weapons based in Scottish waters.

I want Scotland to be independent not because I think we are better than any other country but because I know we are just as good as any other country.

Like those nations who sent their journalists and diplomats to Scotland this week, our future, our resources and our success should be in our own hands.