RELATIONS WITH EU INSTITUTIONS
Despite the fact that EU matters are reserved to the UK Government it remains a key part of the Scottish Government's approach to the European Union to increase the nation's presence and influence in the EU institutions directly. Promoting Scotland's profile directly in Brussels is another method in which the Government can ensure its interests are considered and the nation's voice is heard throughout the EU decision making process.
The three key EU institutions involved in the decision making process are the European Commission which issues legislative proposals, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union both of which debate and vote on proposals.
European Commission
The Commission is the institution that initially proposes the legislation that will eventually affect Scotland and all the member states. Therefore a constructive direct relationship with the Commissioners and also with Commission officials is crucial in ensuring that Scotland is seen as an important partner in the EU and that its interests and opinions are considered.
The Government has already engaged with a number of Commissioners across a wide range of policy areas that are of key interest to Scotland. It intends to build on these relationships with further visits both in Brussels and in Scotland where Commissioners will be able to see examples of the nation's unique experiences and resources.
The Government will also strive to take a more direct role in consultations held by the Commission on proposed legislation by, as a matter of course, responding directly to all Commission consultations where Scotland has a particular policy interest unless there is a good reason not to do so. It will also continue to take an active role in the agreement of formal consultation responses submitted by the UK Government.
European Parliament
The European Parliament represents the democratic aspect of the decision making triangle in the EU and over the years has been given increasing powers as various new treaties have come into force. Today legislative proposals in a wide range of policy areas are subject to 'co-decision' i.e. they must be passed by both the Council and the Parliament rather than the Council alone. The Lisbon Treaty, due to come into force in 2009 if successfully ratified, will further increase the number of policy areas subject to co-decision. A strong, direct relationship with the European Parliament is therefore increasingly important for Scotland.
The Government intends both to work closely with the Scottish MEPs, for example by briefing them on the Long Term EU Political Objectives and the Current EU Priorities, and to build relationships with other MEPs who hold positions that are key to Scottish interests, for example Committee Chairs. Scottish Ministers will engage directly with the European Parliament on specific policy interests and more generally with the aim of raising the profile of Scotland as a nation.
Council of the European Union
The Council is the institution in which the ministers of each member state can negotiate to protect their country's interests. Given current constitutional arrangements the UK Government ministers attend the Council meetings to represent the views of the UK as a whole. However, the Scottish Government is determined to play an active role in Council negotiations that are of particular importance to Scotland.
Scottish Ministers will seek to attend key meetings as part of the UK delegation which will allow them to contribute Scotland's views directly into negotiations. They will also work with the UK Government to develop arrangements where Scottish Ministers can take the lead in representing the UK delegation in policy areas in which Scotland has an overriding interest, for example fisheries.
Scottish Ministers and officials also participate in meetings of the Council with officials being involved in the Council Working Groups which scrutinise and negotiate in detail on the Commission proposals. Scottish Ministers can attend Councils either as part of the UK delegation or on behalf of the UK.
Scottish officials based in Brussels work to establish and maintain good contact with colleagues in all of the European institutions in order to explain any specific Scottish points within the overall context of the UK policy.