This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Auld alliance - new friendship
22/01/2004
The bonds between France and Scotland
are as strong as ever, First Minister Jack McConnell
said today at the launch of the Scottish programme for the
100th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale between France
and the United Kingdom.
It is the biggest single government
programme to promote Scotland overseas since
devolution.
The FM was joined at the launch, held
in the headquarters of the Royal Bank of Scotland in
Edinburgh by Sir John Holmes, the British Ambassador to
France and Michel Roche, the French Consul General in
Scotland.
Mr McConnell said:
"There has been a strong bond of
friendship between Scotland and France for the last 700
years, and the Entente Cordiale centenary celebrations are
an excellent opportunity to strengthen that
relationship.
"We have much to gain from forging a
new alliance for the 21st century. France is one of
Scotland's most important business partners, reflecting the
long standing relationship between the two countries.
France is our second biggest export market and French
imports are important to Scotland too.
"The number of French tourists that
visit Scotland has increased significantly in the last few
years. And while we will welcome more French visitors to
Scotland, I hope that Scots will increasingly look to
France to visit and do business in."
"And our cultural links are as strong
now as they were when Sir Walter Scott's novels were the
toast of Paris and French philosophers, such as Voltaire,
turned to Scotland's Enlightenment for inspiration."
Mr McConnell went on to say that
Scotland was also keen to share its recent experience of
devolution with France.
He said: "Next month, the French
National Assembly will give the French regions more say
over their affairs. There has already been considerable
interest in our experience, and over the coming months I
want to develop that dialogue."
The Scottish programme, which will complement the
UK/French programme
includes:
trade fairs organised by
Scottish Development International
tourism fairs and events
organised by Visit Scotland;
Scottish/French cancer
research conference in Edinburgh;
an exhibition of Scottish
Colourists in Paris;
a season of Scottish
architecture in Paris;
a Charles Rennie Mackintosh
exhibition and literature programmes planned
for Languedoc-Rousillon;
a series of events to
celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Scottish
Committee of the Franco British Lawyers
Society.
The First Minister will also launch
the full programme in Paris next month, when he will host a
reception for French business, political, media and
cultural leaders.
The Entente Cordiale Treaty, which was
signed in London on April 8, 1904, marked the end of
colonial disputes between France and Great Britain. It now
symbolises the friendship and co-operation that exists
between the two countries.
Sir John Holmes KBE CMG CVO will give
the Scottish Executive Edinburgh lecture on Thursday
January 22, 2004 at 7pm in the Queen Mother Conference
Centre, Royal College of Physicians, 9 Queen Street,
Edinburgh. He will discuss links between France, Britain
and Scotland and consider how the expansion of the EU will
reunite Europe, ensuring it remains peaceful and
prosperous.
France is Scotland's major European
major partner. The annual value of exports to France is
£2.5 billion, and it is the largest market for Scottish
food and drink, accounting for over £85 million of sales
annually across a wide range of products from smoked salmon
to cheese and preserves. It remains the third largest
market for whisky, at an annual value of around £230
million, despite keen competition from wine and other
spirits.
The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS)
started its operations in France in late 1998. Since then
it has established a leading position in acquisition
finance through deals such as the buy out of Le Figaro and
the Euro 865m management buy out of Lafarge Speciality
materials. In 2001 RBS expanded its French operations to
offer a broader range of debt and risk management services,
targeting French corporate and financial institutions.
The number of French tourists visiting
Scotland has increased significantly in recent years. In
2002, 124,000 French visitors spent £34 million in
Scotland, double the expenditure in the previous year.
There are now 11 direct, daily flights
from Paris to Scottish airports.