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Scotland and the USA
29/10/2009
First Minister Alex Salmond has welcomed United States Ambassador Louis B Susman on his first official visit to Scotland.
The First Minister hosted a reception at the Merchants' Hall in Edinburgh, where the Ambassador launched the International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) and the U.S. Government Fellows Alumni Group.
The IVLP, which began in 1940, offers talented professionals the opportunity to travel to the United States and learn more about America while strengthening links between Scotland and the U.S. in key areas.
Meanwhile the U.S. Government Fellows Alumni Group will combine the knowledge and experience of the IVLP programme and the British Fulbright Scholars Association, which supports international education and cultural exchange.
First Minister Alex Salmond said:
"I am proud to be able to support the launch of this prestigious programme and to celebrate Scotland's longstanding relationship with the United States.
"The creation of the U.S. Fellows Alumni Group will ensure that the bonds that tie our two countries together grow even stronger.
"In the year of Homecoming it has been wonderful to see tens of thousands of Americans with Scottish links coming here. For one event alone in July some 3,000 U.S. citizens attended The Gathering to renew their connection to their ancestral roots.
"The United States is Scotland's biggest international trading partner and our continued co-operation will be particularly important in contributing towards economic recovery."
Ambassador Louis B Susman, United States Ambassador to the UK said:
"I am delighted to be here in Scotland on my first official visit. I am confident that the launch of the United States Fellows Alumni Group will nurture people-to-people relations and strengthen co-operation between the United States and Scotland."