THE ACTION PLAN ON EUROPEAN ENGAGEMENT
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. 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.
Discussion on the Action Plan on European Engagement
The Action Plan was published in draft form in April 2008 in order to allow the Government to hold a discussion of its aims and content with stakeholders before it is finalised at the end of 2008. You will find on these pages a guide to the Action Plan and the facility to make a contribution to this discussion through a comments form. Further to this a number of stakeholder events will be held throughout the coming months, starting with our launch event in Edinburgh on 7 May, where stakeholders will have the opportunity to engage with Cabinet Secretaries, Ministers and officials on the Action Plan. In Autumn 2008 the Government will review the feedback received when finalising the Action Plan.
Focusing effort in the EU arena
The Action Plan on European Engagement sets out the Government's five long-term EU political objectives which provide focus for work in the EU context and for engaging with the EU. The Action Plan also refers to the current EU priorities which are the issues of greatest importance to Scotland that are being discussed at EU level right now. It provides guidance on how the Government intends to increase Scotland's engagement with the key EU institutions as well as how it will approach its relationships with the UK Government and other devolved administrations to maximise its influence on the issues that are vital to Scotland's interests.
"Team Scotland"
Raising Scotland's voice and promoting the nation's profile in Europe, both in the EU and in Europe more broadly, are not just the aims of the Government. We recognise that there are a huge range of key partners and stakeholders across Scotland who are also working toward this goal in their own particular areas of interest. The Government believes that by working together, pooling the nation's resources and expertise and ensuring messages are consistent and targeted, Scotland can have a much greater impact on the European stage. The Action Plan on European Engagement is based on this "Team Scotland" approach and we hope that as wide a range of stakeholders as possible will join in the discussion on the Government's goals.