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Scotland's priorities in Europe
18/09/2007
Minister for Europe and External Affairs Linda Fabiani today presented the Scottish Government's EU priorities and framework for a longer term European Strategy.
Speaking at the European & External Relations Committee, the Minister emphasised that Scotland should have a stronger voice in Europe and spoke of the strategic approach needed to achieve this.
Linda Fabiani said:
"This Government is determined to raise Scotland's voice in Europe and to do this we must be engaged with all the relevant players. The First Minister had constructive meetings with several EU Commissioners when he visited Brussels in July. I have had a range of valuable meetings with Commissioner Figel, relevant Ministers from the UK Government and devolved administrations and key stakeholders - I am very pleased with the level of engagement this Government has had in relation to Europe and we will actively maintain this.
"The Scottish Government's approach to the EU falls into two categories - firstly the current EU issues that we need to take action on now and secondly the Government's approach to the EU over the medium to longer term."
The Minister identified the Scottish Government's Current EU Priorities linking each one to a strategic objective:
WEALTHIER AND FAIRER SCOTLAND
- Internal and External Fisheries Negotiations
- EU Trade Defence: Anti Dumping Measures against Norwegian Farmed Salmon
- Better Regulation Agenda
- Financial Services
- Structural Funds
- Scotland Rural Development Programme
- Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Reform
GREENER SCOTLAND
- Strategic Energy Review
- Climate Change
- Marine Strategy and draft Marine Strategy Directive
- Maritime Green Paper
- Soil Thematic Strategy
- Habitats Directive
- Review of the Cod Recovery Plan
SAFER AND STRONGER SCOTLAND
- EU Family Law Proposals
- Exchange of Information from Criminal Records
- EU Institutional Reform (EU Reform Treaty)
HEALTHIER SCOTLAND
- White Paper on Nutrition, Overweight and Obesity
- Community Framework for Safe and Efficient Health Services
SMARTER SCOTLAND
- European Qualifications Framework
- European Institute for Technology
Ms Fabiani also shared the Key EU Political Objectives with the Committee and confirmed that an EU Strategy Document will be published in early 2008. The consultation for the European Strategy will coincide with the Government's National Conversation given the importance of Europe in this debate about Scotland's future.
The Key EU Political Objectives are:
- Fisheries and Aquaculture
- EU Treaty Reform
- The EU Budget Review
- Justices and Home Affairs Issues
- EU Energy Policy
- Agriculture
The 4th meeting of the European & External Relations Committee took place at the Scottish Parliament today.