In 2007 the Government made a manifesto commitment to "strengthen Scotland's voice in Europe". The aim of this is to ensure that Scottish interests are fully represented at European level while also making clear to the rest of Europe the wealth of experience and resources Scotland has to offer as a nation.
This commitment is the guiding aim for the Government's Action Plan on European Engagement and Appendices I & II (January - June 2009). Set in the context of the International Framework, which provides focus for all of the Government's international activities, the Action Plan is consistent with the Framework's goals of maximising the impact of all our activities in terms of both achieving economic benefits and presenting Scotland as a confident, capable nation.