First Minister Alex Salmond
Choosing Scotland's Future - A National Conversation
Scotland House, Brussels
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
_______________________________
Good morning. I am delighted to be here.
My thanks to Michael Aron and his team at Scotland House for organising today's seminar. It promises to be a fascinating morning's discussion.
I was last here in Brussels in July, for the commemoration of the 90th Anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele.
That anniversary was a poignant reminder of the vital purpose of the European institutions in build lasting peace and prosperity among our nations.
And as I made clear when I spoke here last, both the people of Scotland and the Scottish Government are seized of the need to take responsibility for our destiny. Not just within the United Kingdom - but as active and engaged partners in the European Union, and globally.
Let me remind you of three big things that have changed since we last spoke.
First, in August my Government published a White Paper on Choosing Scotland's Future - opening a full, democratic debate, a national conversation - among the people of Scotland and our institutions. And today's discussions - about Scotland's role within the European Union - are an important part of that conversation.
Second, last December in Edinburgh I outlined my vision for our country's positive engagement in Europe - and what more Scotland could achieve as an independent member of the European Union. I will talk more today about that vision.
Third, we are now nearly one year into the first ever SNP administration in Scotland. I would not yet claim we are old hands in government, or grizzled veterans. However, our first year in office certainly shows a track record of achievement.
And more than that, we are quickly filling in the contours of the new, aspirant Scotland - an ambitious and positive nation that can embody the best of Europe's strong social democratic tradition.
So by way of framing our debate today, I'd like to speak with you about the changes already underway in Scotland and the new ambition and energy in our nation.
About Scotland's natural orientation and our natural home among the small and independent social democracies of Europe.
And about the need to promote Scotland's strong and distinctive priorities as an independent member of the European Union.
The new ambition in Scotland
So let me start by reviewing some of the major changes that we have brought in over the past year.
First, Scotland now has a clear economic strategy, designed to increase sustainable economic growth over the long term. And to set a course that will enable Scotland to match and even surpass those small independent nations - Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Iceland - that form an Arc of Prosperity around us.
All these nations are economically and socially successful - accounting for three of the top five places in the United Nations Human Development Index.
But of course not all these nations are members of the European Union - which suggests that while a more than one strategy may deliver success in the global economy, political independence is the vital precondition.
My Government is committed to economic success within the European Union. And we have prepared three year spending plans and a new Budget to lay the foundations.
Our new Budget has introduced vital reforms - restoring free education at all levels in Scotland, through the abolition of the Graduate Endowment, to develop our human capital and release the potential of our people.
We have cut taxes for Scotland's small businesses, to promote growth, jobs and innovation.
We have developed a new Concordat with local government across Scotland, moving away from the UK's heavily centralised model towards a more democratic and accountable system of Scottish government.
And, importantly, we are pursuing our economic strategy by developing Scotland's natural strengths in the industries of the future.
So we are providing new funding for renewable energy across Scotland. And as I announced earlier this month in Washington DC, at the headquarters of the National Geographic, the Scottish Government has launched a new Saltire Prize - the world's largest ever single prize for innovation in renewable marine energy.
And I was also proud to announce, just three days ago, the creation of a new life sciences institute in Dundee that will further enhance Scotland's world-class science base and our track record of innovation.
Taken together these new measures are a sign that this Government will always remain committed to promoting Scotland's economic interests over the long-term - both within the current settlement and, subject to the will of our people, with new responsibilities for the Scottish Parliament.
Scotland as a true European social democracy
Allow me to make a couple of brief observations at this point, which we can perhaps discuss further this morning.
First, let us look at the conduct of our Parliament and our Government in Scotland. I believe that what we see - and what is increasingly evident also in Wales and Northern Ireland - is the emergence of a new political culture.
A culture that is based on thorough debate and consultation - as a means to build a strong national consensus.
A political culture that does not view minority or coalition governments as inherently 'weak' - as they are often characterised by fans of the Westminster model - but as a vehicle for negotiation and dialogue. And a better means of ensuring fair, balanced policies that promote the interests of all of our people.
And this open, consultative approach informs not only our Parliament. It is also evident in our open, democratic consultation on the future of Scotland. And in the desire of the Scottish Government - with one eye to the success of our cousins in Ireland - to build a strong enduring social partnership among our main players as the basis of a new, dynamic Celtic Lion economy.
A second observation. The policies that we are pursuing in Government - both for our economy and our society - are striking a chord with the people of Scotland. They speak to their ingrained spirit of fairness, of justice and of compassion.
Because our programme in Government is firmly in the tradition of European social democracy - harnessing the talents of all of our people - our stock of human capital - to deliver economic growth, excellent public services and good social provision.
This is what the people of Scotland have demanded from their Government. This is the programme that we are pursuing in office. And it places Scotland firmly in Europe's social democratic mainstream - today and tomorrow.
A third and final observation. In addition to the basic values and priorities that Scotland shares in economic and social policy, our aspirations in foreign policy are very close to those of our small independent neighbours.
Like our friends in the Nordic countries, who play a leading role in global humanitarian and peacekeeping missions, Scotland seeks a positive and constructive international role.
Because we believe that Scottish independence is not just an opportunity to move Scotland forward but a chance for us to give something back. To meet our global responsibilities.
And as I have already said, like so many other countries - Ireland, Austria, Switzerland, Finland and Sweden to name a few - we support the Partnership for Peace programme in terms of practical bi-lateral co-operation.
Taken together, all these aspects of the modern Scotland - our new political culture, our commitment to social democracy and our global humanitarian vision - place Scotland firmly in the family of European nations.
So to anyone who is confused by the changes underway in Scotland - and the growing desire of our people to take on full responsibility for our country's destiny - let me say this.
Scotland's ambitions for our nation within Europe are not any sort of anomaly or 'Scottish exceptionalism'.
Seen from an outside, from a European perspective, these ambitions make perfect sense.
They reflect both the reality and the aspiration of our country and its people towards an equal role in the family of European social democracies.
Scotland's agenda within the European Union
Let me conclude by discussing Scotland's priorities within the European Union.
Our country's interests are currently constrained by the status quo, whereby London develops the UK negotiating line - and not always fully in favour of Scotland's interests.
So the Scottish Government is determined to defend our country's interests within the current framework, whatever the issue.
The strength of our resolve was evident from the outcome of last December's Fisheries council.
I very much hope that the reinstatement of the Joint Ministerial Council will lead to a better balanced and more representative UK policy line across the full range of European policies.
But my Government will continue - as in the case of fisheries, where Scotland takes in around 68% of the total UK catch - to press for Scotland to take the UK chair in negotiations where our country has an overwhelming direct interest.
Of course Scotland's European agenda is not just about defending our interests. We seek to develop a clear and positive agenda, and to show real leadership within Europe.
Energy policy is a prime example. The European Commission deserves real credit for its ambitious integrated approach to climate change and energy policy - and for pursuing hard targets on carbon reductions and renewable energy.
The Scottish Government is keen to contribute. And, based on our long-established position as a major energy hub, we are creating a new European Green Energy Centre, with its base in Aberdeen.
I have already made clear our ambition that within five years this new Centre should have the status of a full European agency. And I am pleased to report that Commissioners Piebalgs and Potocnik have welcomed Scotland's initiative.
Conclusion
As you know, my firm belief is that Scotland will be strongest within Europe once we have full responsibility for our affairs.
As an independent nation, Scotland would be the third richest Member State on a per capita basis - and well placed to play a positive and constructive role within the European Union.
So for me, the basic question for today's debate is not how we represent Scotland's interests in Europe in the short-term. Because this Government is doing everything that we can - on energy, fishing, agriculture and rural development - to promote Scotland's interests in the current framework.
And I would also say that the key question is not 'how will Scotland become an EU member?'. We already are.
The real question is how, as an independent nation, Scotland could shape a distinctive European policy and help to set the right priorities - to maximise Scotland's interests and to extent the greatest positive influence within the European Union.
That is where the debate should now take place.
So in closing let me thank you once again for taking part in our discussion today.
I am very much looking forward to hearing your views.
Thank you.