This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Eyes of the world are on us - FM
05/11/2003
First Minister Jack McConnell today said that the biggest ever TV audience for an event staged inScotlandis an opportunity to showcase the best the country has to offer.
The First Minister was speaking ahead of the MTV Europe Music Awards which are being held in a specially constructed arena inLeithtomorrow. It is estimated that a global audience of around one billion people will see the awards and the associated events in and aroundEdinburgh.
The First Minister said:
"These awards are right up alongside the Oscars as one of the most widely watched entertainment events in the world. Having one billion people tuning in to watchEdinburghandScotlandat its best is a fantastic opportunity for us.
"It is an opportunity to show the world our creative talent, the warmth of our welcome and our ability to put on a party that can rival anyone else.
"We can now proudly addEdinburghto the list of much larger cities who have played host to these awards. I am sure that the success of the event tomorrow will show the world that we are a country that has the confidence and the talent to host events of this magnitude again in the future."
The First Minister and Cabinet officially welcomed Brent Hansen of MTV, MTV presenters and organisers, and guests at a reception compered by Muriel Gray in Edinburgh Castle last night.
Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport Frank MacAveety said:
"This will be a fantastic opportunity to show the world the appeal ofScotland. The MTV Europe Awards are the biggest awards in the musical calendar and I am delightedScotlandis playing host to the most talented performers in the music industry."
The event offered a taste of Scotland and included special performances by Scottish tenors Caledon and local Edinburgh band Idlewild.
The MTVEuropeMusic Awards have previously been held in cities such asBarcelona,Frankfurt,Stockholm,Berlin,DublinandEdinburgh.