Making sure Scotland's voice is heard loud and clear in Europe

Published on Thursday 8 May 2008 22:31

Linda Fabiani Minister for Europe, external affairs and culture

TODAY is Europe Day, an opportunity for us to consider the wide-ranging impact that the European Union has on Scots, our businesses and our lives.

It is therefore timely for me to outline our plans for the EU, and Europe more generally. Our intentions are not quiet engagement but direct, proactive action throughout Europe for the benefit of Scotland and its people.

I am delighted with the progress we have made in our approach to EU affairs during this first year of government. We have worked hard to strengthen Scotland's voice in Europe, identified focused EU policy priorities and ensured Scotland's interests are adequately repre-sented within the EU, from the initial policy development stage through to the final legislative negotiations in Brussels.

This government has exciting international ambition for Scotland – and Europe is right at the very heart of this. Only this week, I launched the Action Plan on European Engagement, which sets out our role and objectives in Europe.

The importance we as a government place on Europe should come as no surprise. We have clear aspirations – Scotland as an independent member state within the EU, with its own distinctive voice at the negotiating table. It is only right that we Scots who are directly affected by decisions taken in Brussels have a say in how these decisions are reached. And it is because the EU has such great influence on everyone in Scotland that we have given such prominence to Scotland's role in the EU in the "National Conversation".

Europe provides us with a host of channels through which we can pursue real progress. I believe the ambitious action plan will support this government and our partners in making the most of the economic, political and cultural opportunities available to us. But our work in Europe is not simply about the EU. Our bilateral contact with other European countries has a significant contribution to make to strengthening Scotland's voice.

I am well aware of the excellent work taking place on a daily basis within the public and private sectors with our friends across Europe – collaboration on areas of mutual interest, town-twinning partnerships, industry secondments, best-practice exchange, academic collaboration, research and development work and diplomatic visits: the list is endless. This action plan will build on the good work that already exists and continue to encourage direct engagement with countries across Europe.

One example is the government's economic strategy reference to the "Arc of Prosperity" countries, namely Norway, Finland, Iceland, Ireland and Denmark, and the lessons we can learn from these successful economies of a similar size to Scotland's. However, this is a two-way street and it is not simply about Scotland learning from our European neighbours, big and small. It is also about identifying the right opportunities to showcase Scotland as the successful, open, forward-thinking nation it is. I am sure we will see an engaging and lively discussion as this action plan is presented around the country – I urge you to get involved.