This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Executive's commitment to Europe
03/11/2001
The Executive is committed to forging closer and
stronger ties with Europe, First Minister Henry McLeish
said today.
Scotland already has close and constructive links with
Europe and further afield as part of a strong UK. Further
ties are being actively explored to enhance Scotland's
growing reputation on the European and global stage.
Speaking at a Scottish Council of the European Movement
conference in Perth today, the First Minister said:
"Our strong historical links with the Nordic countries
have developed into co-operative ventures with the main
focus on a series of practical projects to promote contacts
and to share experience between the public and private
sectors in northern Scotland and the northern parts of
Norway, Sweden and Finland. Following a meeting earlier
this year, officials have agreed an action plan outlining
potential projects to enhance the existing
co-operation.
"In addition to our links with Scandinavia, the Scottish
Executive is currently involved at both Ministerial and
official level in discussion with the Catalan Government
about those policy areas where detailed co-operation would
provide mutual benefits. Indeed President Pujol was my
dinner guest in July. Similar discussions are taking place
with the Regional Government of Bavaria, which Jack
McConnell visited last month.
"Also in Germany, our officials are involved in
developing proposals with the administration of NordRhein
Westfalia for a co-operative exercise concerned with
industrial regeneration.
"The Executive's Health Department has long standing
links with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in
Finland which has led to visits between the 2 countries on
a range of topics, including coronary heart disease. And
through British/Irish Council we have had many contacts
with Ireland.
"The Executive is playing its part in the process as the
lead partner in a twinning agreement to assist the Czech
Republic develop appropriate systems for the administration
of structural funds. We are also considering joint
involvement with Finland to provide technical assistance on
rural development issues to Estonia.
"All these links reflect the Executive's belief that
policy formulation can be enriched by the exchange of ideas
and best practice with our European partners and that good
relation's foster trade and other opportunities which can
benefit Scotland."
Mr McLeish added:
"We should be in no doubt about the importance of the EU
to Scotland. Scotland, a small country on the north-west
edge of Europe, has always looked outwards.
"And it has always traded. Today we export more per head
of the population than the rest of the UK, and for that
matter the USA and Japan. And it is to the EU that two
thirds of our manufacturing exports and a third of our
service industry exports are heading now: that's how
important Europe is to our prosperity.
"We are able to have the support of the UK voice in EU
negotiations, which gives us power and influence we would
never have as a small country. Indeed, where there are
significant Scottish interests involved Scottish Executive
Ministers are included in the UK delegation at European
Council meetings.
"From the outset the Executive has been keen to develop
Scotland's devolved identity in international circles. Our
first act was to set up our own office in Brussels.
"Another important aspect of our engagement with Europe
has been to seek to contribute in our own way to debates on
the major issues facing the EU.
"The bulk of our involvement so far has been channelled
into three main initiatives all of which seek to define the
important contribution which regional administrations can
make to European governance:
- The first of these was our joint contribution with
CoSLA to the Commission's Governance inquiry
- The second is our participation in a Flanders
co-ordinated initiative which, as well as the host and
ourselves, involved NordRhein Westphalia, Wallonia,
Catalonia, Bavaria and Salzburg.
- Finally our participation in the CLRAE Conference
of Presidents last year in Barcelona and again this
November in Liege
"I believe that the Scottish Parliament and the other
devolved legislative Regions and Nations of Europe can play
a vital role in shaping the future of Europe.
"In Europe there is a strong layer of regional
government. It is by no means comprehensive but where it
does exist, it is, by definition, closer to the citizen and
indeed is responsible for implementing much of the EU
legislation that affects the everyday lives of the European
citizen.
"Because of this closeness to the ground, constitutional
regions with elected legislatures are well placed to play a
more important part in the EU decision-making process.
"Scotland week 2001, the second such event held in
Scotland House in Brussels since devolution, was a showcase
for our various contributions to EU thinking. This Scottish
Executive event, organised in association with Scotland
Europa featured a series of seminars about current major
issues facing the EU and was entitled "Scotland - our
Future in Europe.
"The EU is of vital importance to Scotland. Scotland,
within the UK and within the EU too, benefits enormously
from its links with Europe and all the kinds of
participation and interactions I have outlined. All of us
in the Scottish Executive recognise that fact and seek to
make the most of it."