This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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First Minister opens Scotland Week
09/10/2001
Scotland Week in Brussels got underway today with the message that greater involvement in European affairs was a clear sign that devolution had created a more confident country.
First Minister Henry McLeish officially opened the week of seminars and special events in the Belgian capital by emphasising Scotland's enduring links with Europe and the need for international solidarity in difficult times.
In Scotland House in the heart of Brussels' EU government district he said:
"Scotland Week is taking place against the backdrop of difficult times for world security. We had the dilemma that such an event as this should carry on in the current world situation. The reasons why it should go ahead are these. It is an issue of solidarity. We stand shoulder to shoulder with colleagues from Europe, America and the rest of the world. Since September 11 the world has got smaller and interdependence is a key theme. It is important that there should be business as usual, as far as that is possible.
"The current security crisis shows that we have far more in common than divides us. Devolution gives us the opportunity to bring our own contribution, complementing that of the UK, to world affairs while maintaining the bedrock of our political and economic security within the UK, the EU and NATO. The governance of Scotland has been transformed by devolution. It has allowed our distinctive voice to be heard while retaining all the advantages of belong to the UK. I believe that Scotland's growing role in the EU is a definite sign of a more confident Scotland.
Mr McLeish said he was keen that Scotland Week should focus on the way the Scottish economy is adapting to new challenges, particularly on how the Executive's long-term economic strategy was coping with the impact of developments in America following the terrorist attacks. A report by the Executive's Chief economic adviser Dr Andrew Goudie had concluded the strategy was appropriate by that individual sectors likely to be hardest hit, such as aviation, should be kept under constant review.
"I am pleased to announce one of the first steps taken since the Goudie report was published," he told his audience. "As part of the VisitScotland Action Group, two airlines providing direct flights to Scotland from the Continent have taken steps to boost their marketing efforts. I flew to Brussels with British Midland which has launched a twin cities marketing initiative to promote in Belgium packages of flights and accommodations in Glasgow and Edinburgh. And Ryanair has also announced an important marketing drive to promote low-cost fares to Scotland to households in Belgium, France and Germany. Europe is our biggest foreign market for business and tourism and is an excellent place to focus our marketing efforts in the coming months and years."
Mr McLeish later visited the British International School of Brussels where the children had been asked to write down their Wish for the Future of Europe. "The most commonly expressed wish among the children was for peace and it is as well to note that the EU was conceived as a means of ensuring that war would never again break out in Europe," he said. "I firmly believe we are stronger together, weaker apart."
Seminars in Brussels over the next seven days include a discussion on the future of Europe, changing attitudes to the environment and agriculture, and developments in biotechnology. A Harris Tweed exhibition is being held in the British Embassy tomorrow night.