This History of Europe explains where the European Union (EU) comes from. All EU decisions are derived from treaties, the most recent of which is the Treaty of Lisbon which aims to make the EU more democratic, efficient and transparent, and thereby able to tackle global challenges such as climate change, security and sustainable development. The Treay of Lisbon came into force on 1 December 2009.
Our approach to EU business is set out in the European Action Plan. This details the rationale for Scotland's focused engagement in the EU, in relation to legislation proposed by the European Commission, and in areas where we have both a strategic and distinctive interest - the EU Budget, Energy & Climate Change, Marine Environment, Research & Creativity and Justice.
The Scottish Government's Europe Team and EU office in Brussels coordinate EU business across all Ministerial portfolios, managing Scotland's EU obligations and ensuring that the Scottish Parliament's European and External Relations Committee is supported in its scrutiny role. It also works closely with the UK's Permanent Representation (UKRep) on the UK position on EU issues, complimenting work done by policy divisions with their Whitehall counterparts.
- Scotland in the EU
How and why Scottish Government Ministers and officials engage with the EU and contacts in the Scottish Government EU Office in Brussels. - EU Institutions
How the EU works and key facts about the main EU Institutions. - EU Law Making
How law is made at the EU level.