RAISING SCOTLAND'S PROFILE IN EUROPE
UK Relations
The United Kingdom is currently the Member State through which Scotland participates in the EU. The UK Government retains responsibility for European affairs but, under the terms of the Concordat on Co-ordination of European Policy, should involve the Scottish Government in developing the UK position on EU issues which affect devolved interests. The limitation of these arrangements is that we are unable to represent Scotland's interests directly in the decision-making Council of Ministers without the consent of UK Ministers or through the UK Government. The only real solution to this problem is for Scotland to become an independent Member State of the EU in its own right. In the meantime, the Scottish Government will continue to work closely with the UK Government in all areas of EU policy interest to Scotland.
We are therefore committed to maintaining an active and constructive relationship with the UK Government on EU matters, and we expect the UK Government to do likewise. The Scottish Government will seek to play an active role in developing the UK negotiating position, sharing our ideas, resources and experience with Whitehall counterparts so that Scotland's interests are taken into account.
We will take an active part in the Joint Ministerial Committee (Europe) and seek to improve its procedures so that it fulfils its role as an effective forum for dispute resolution and for devolved administrations to raise issues with UK Ministers. We will also continue to raise our concerns about the "double hat" responsibilities that Whitehall departments fulfil in respect of representing English policy views while also being responsible for co-ordinating the UK negotiating line.
The Scottish Government will work closely with the governments of Wales and Northern Ireland to ensure that the role of the devolved administrations in European affairs is fully recognised. We will also look for opportunities where we can work with our Welsh and Northern Irish counterparts on specific EU issues on which we have similar interests.
Relations with EU Institutions
Council of Ministers
The UK Government is charged with representing the whole of the UK in Council meetings. However, the Scottish Government can still be involved. Scottish Ministers will seek to attend Council meetings where issues of interest to Scotland will be discussed and will press to take the lead in representing the UK where we have the lion's share of UK interest (for example in fisheries negotiations). Officials in the Scottish Government's EU Office in Brussels will continue to build on our strong relationship with the UK Permanent Representation to the EU ( UKRep) and we will also, from an early stage, engage with the countries preparing to take up the six-month EU Presidency, to establish their priorities, and to promote Scotland's interests. On an on-going basis we will identify other member states with similar policy interests and build relations with those countries in order to strengthen our position in EU discussions.
European Commission
As the key initiator of EU policies - many of which will have a direct impact on Scotland - a strong, honest and constructive relationship with the European Commission ensures that the views and interests of Scotland are known and taken into account at the earliest possible stage of policy development. Scottish Ministers will continue to meet with EU Commissioners and other Commission representatives both in Brussels and in Scotland where they can witness first hand the unique challenges that often face Scotland. We are committed to responding to Commission consultations both through the UK response and, where it adds value, with a separate Scottish response.
European Parliament
The European Parliament has an important, and with the possible entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, an ever increasing part to play in EU policy-making, representing the voice of the people of Europe. We will ensure that Scottish MEPs are briefed on the Scottish Government's position, so that they can promote Scottish views across the European Parliament. We will also seek to build relationships with other MEPs in key positions. The Scottish Government envisages a deeper engagement with this Parliament due to the impact the Lisbon Treaty will have on the powers available to it in areas of importance to Scotland such as Justice, renewable energy and fisheries.
Relations with the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament is an important partner in achieving Scottish objectives in Europe. The European and External Relations Committee takes the lead in focusing the Parliament on the EU issues of greatest interest, while subject committees also consider EU policies falling within their remits. We will continue to work closely with the European and External Relations Committee on European affairs, and work to encourage subject committees to be active in areas of interest. Scottish Ministers will provide information and give evidence to committee meetings on the Scottish Government's European activities as appropriate.