| December | 8 | Linda Fabiani Minister for Europe, External Relations and Culture | Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture in Brussels to open exhibition "Energy: North Sea Portraits" On Monday evening the Minister for Europe, External Relations and Culture opened The 'Energy: North Sea portraits' exhibition by Fionna Carlisle, which was displayed in the European Parliament from 8 to 12 December. The exhibition was commissioned by the National Galleries of Scotland and was sponsored by Total through Arts and Business (Scotland). Alyn Smyth MEP sponsored its showing in the European Parliament. During the day the Minister met with SGEUO and Scotland Europa staff; met officials from the British Council office in Brussels; and several influential Scots working in the EU institutions and other Brussels-based organisations. |
| November | 25 | Jim Mather Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism | Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Toursim in Brussels to meet with Commissioner Piebalgs and focus on the energy sector Mr Jim Mather met with Andris Piebalgs, European Commissioner for Energy to discuss Scotland's contribution to the wider energy agenda. He also chaired a panel discussion, organised as part of the St Andrew's Day programme, on how government can best develop and support, in partnership with others, a low carbon, sustainable and secure energy sector. This discussion attracted stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. Following presentations from panel members the Minister chaired the open debate where he captured the audiences contributions on a mind map. The Minister then hosted a business reception during which he formally launched the Scottish European Green Energy Centre. |
| October | 6 - 7 | Stewart Stevenson Minister for Transport, Climate Change and Infrastructure | Minister for Transport, Climate Change and Infrastructure addresses Climate Change seminar and briefs Scottish MEPs The Minister for Climate Change was in Brussels to give a speech at the Celtic Connections Climate Change Seminar, in conjunction with the Committee of the Regions Open Days 2008. The Minister's speech was extremely well received. In the afternoon, Mr Stevenson met with Scottish MEPs in the European Parliament. The MEPs were updated on the Scottish Government's current position with regards the EU's Climate Energy Package and the Government's Climate Change Policy in general. The Minister also updated the MEPs on the Commission Inquiry into ferry services in Scotland and the Rosyth-Zeebrugge ferry route. |
| May | 27 | Stewart Stevenson Minister for Transport, Climate Change and Infrastructure | Minister for Transport, Climate Change and Infrastructure meets with Commission in Brussels On Tuesday Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Transport, Climate Change and Infrastructure, met with the Director General of Transport and Environment at the European Commission, the Deputy Permanent Representative at UKRep, Scottish MEPs, Scotland Europa and Mr Jos Delbeke, Deputy Director General at DG Environment. He had useful discussions covering the Transport and Climate Change elements of his portfolio. |
| May | 19 - 20 | Richard Lochhead Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment | Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment attends Agriculture Council and European Maritime Conference Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead, attended the European Maritime Conference to mark the first European Maritime Day - an annual event designed to raise awareness of maritime issues and part of the Commission's strategy to promote an integrated approach to maritime policy. Mr Lochhead participated in a panel discussion on the regional implementation of maritime policy. |
| April | 23 - 24 | Rt. Hon. Alex Salmond First Minister | First Minister and Environment Minister take national conversation to Brussels The First Minister and Environment Minister Michael Russell brought the national conversation on Scotland's constitutional future to Scotland House in Brussels, hosting a popular seminar on Scotland's opinions in Europe. It provided Scots in Brussels with the ideal occasion to engage the First Minister in a lively discussion. |
| April | 23 - 24 | Rt. Hon. Alex Salmond First Minister Michael Russell Minister for Environment | First Minister and Enviroment Minister attend European Seafood Exposition and lobby for lifting of Russian ban on UK fish imports  The First Minister and Minister for Environment, Michael Russell, attended the European Seafood Exposition in Brussels. The Exposition is Europe's premium seafood show and included a Scottish Pavillion where 22 Scottish companies exhibited sea fish, shell fish and salmon products.
Mr Salmond and Mr Russell also used the opportunity to lobby widely for the speedy lifting of the Russian ban on UK fish imports. The First Minister raised the issue with Fisheries Commissioner Borg and spoke with processors affected by the ban. Mr Russell met separately with the Russian Deputy Ambassador to the EU and with the Director General for Trade of the European Commission, David O'Sullivan. On Wednesday evening, Mr Russell hosted a reception to showcase Scottish produce and hospitality during his visit to Brussels. The event was organised by Seafood Scotland and the Scottish Government and provided Brussels with a taste of quality Scotish food, prepared by Scottish chefs, drink and entertainment. |
| March | 17 | Richard Lochhead Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment | Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment meets with Fisheries and Agriculture Commisioners Mr Lochhead met with Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg and Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel to further discuss Scotland's particular interests in the Health Check and Scotland's pioneering conservation credits scheme to safeguard cod stocks. Possible areas for collaboration between Scotland and the Commission in the future were also considered. |
| February | 4 | Michael Russell Minister for Environment | Minister for Environment meets with Research Commissioner and Environment Commissioner to discuss climate change Mr Russell met with Research Commissioner Patocnik to press the cause for a green energy centre in Scotland and with Environment Commissioner Diams to discuss climate change and a number of environment directives and to explain Scotland's position on genetically modified crops. Finally Mr Russell met with the EU's Deputy Director General for Trade, Peter Balas, to underline the importance of maintaining the anti-dumping measures against Norwegian salmon imports. The Minister's visit provided an opportunity to highlight a number of issues of importance to Scotland and to develop some important relationships in Brussels. The Commission was clearly impressed with the Government's ambitions to pursue a greener Scotland. |
| January | 28 - 29 | Linda Fabiani Minister for Europe, External Relations and Culture | Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture in Brussels  Minister Linda Fabiani was in Brussels for a busy programme of meetings and events. As well as engagements including opening a photography exhibition of Scotland's top entrepreneurs, promoting the Scottish Writers' Series with author Iain Banks and celebrating a Burns-Preseren supper, the Minister also held official meetings with the UK Deputy Permanent Representitive, Scottish MEPs at the European Parliament (Ian Hudghton, John Purvis, Alyn Smith and Struan Stevenson).
Ms Fabiani also hosted a policy seminar on the contribution of culture to the Lisbon Agenda for growth and jobs where a range of stakeholders discussed how the public sector can best stimulte the cultural economy at local, national or European level. |