This Government is committed to strengthen Scotland's voice in Europe, aiming to ensure that Scottish interests are fully represented at European level, while making clear to the rest of Europe the wealth of experience and resources Scotland has to offer as a nation.
Action Plan for European Engagement
Set within the context of the International Framework, our Action Plan on European Engagement takes a pragmatic approach to ensure that our activities are properly focused to maximise our impact. The appendices to the Action Plan are updated on a biannual basis in line with the change in EU Presidency. These provide information on Scottish Government activity over the six months and look ahead at issues of importance to Scotland during the forthcoming Presidency period. Supporting appendices;
An annual report has been prepared to reflect on what has been achieved in the 12 months since the Action Plan was launched in September 2009. The annual report is not a full evaluation of activities. Feedback and contributions were sought from policy contacts and external organisations who operate in the four priority areas within the Action Plan.
Focussed Efforts
Our engagement will be focussed on four key areas where Scotland can achieve real benefits in the long run and also where we can demonstrate to the European Union that Scotland is a constructive partner that can play a leading role. Although we have identified these four areas of priority, we strive to engage directly with the EU institutions, UK counterparts and stakeholders, in all areas of EU competence.
Our key areas are:
- Energy and Climate Change
- Marine Environment including Fisheries
- Research and Creativity
- Freedom, Justice and Security (formerly know as Justice and Home Affairs)
The Scottish Government also has a role to play in driving forward a 'Team Scotland' approach to be most successful, it will not be limited to, or necessarily driven by Government activity, but a genuinely collaborative approach, open to all of Scotland's stakeholders. When we approach Europe in a co-ordinated manner, focusing on Scotland's main interests, the impact of strong, consistent and targeted messages goes a long way to strengthening Scotland's voice and promoting Scotland as a credible, influential player across Europe.
Scotland's Future: A National Conversation
The National Conversation was conducted by the Scottish Government between August 2007 and November 2009 inviting public comment on a range of potential changes to the country's constitution.
It began with the publication of a discussion paper Choosing Scotland's Future, and culminated in the publication of Your Scotland Your Voice, a White Paper laying out options supported by detailed policy papers.
The conversation paper on European and Foreign Affairs was published in September 2009.