FOREWORD
As we consider our constitutional future, Europe has never been more important to Scotland. The European Union contains half a billion of the world's citizens. It is the world's largest trading bloc. It has wide competence in a number of vital policy areas; indeed, most of our domestic laws are affected by negotiations in Brussels. Scotland must effectively engage with the EU to stand up for Scottish interests now and in the future as a full Member State. In my role as Minister for Europe, I am strongly committed to ensuring that we get the very best outcome for Scotland in Europe.
I am pleased to introduce this Guidance, which sets out how we will work to deliver such outcomes. It fulfils key delivery pledges in the Scottish National Party's election manifesto and commitments made in a variety of fora. It illustrates how Ministers and officials will engage with stakeholders throughout the EU legislative process. It explains the standards that Ministers will aim for as we fulfil our EU obligations and meet the expectations of those affected by them.
Officials, regulators, delivery bodies and key industry sectors must work together from the beginning to influence EU thinking and ensure that Scottish-specific interests are taken into account in new EU laws. It is also of fundamental importance that we continue this partnership during the transposition and implementation stage to ensure that Scottish solutions address Scottish problems and to avoid placing unnecessary requirements upon anyone.
This Guidance aims to support Scottish handling of EU obligations, for Government officials and others involved in these processes. It also clarifies our procedures, for all those interested in scrutinising this work. I believe it demonstrates this Government's determination to get the very best for Scotland from membership of the European Union.
MICHAEL RUSSELL
Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution