The Scottish Government works closely and maintains an active and constructive relationship with the UK Government in all areas of EU policy interest to Scotland.
The United Kingdom (UK) is the Member State through which Scotland participates in the EU. The UK Government retains responsibility for European affairs and, under the terms of the Concordat on Co-ordination of European Policy, involves the devolved administrations in developing the UK position on EU issues that affect devolved interests.
The Scottish Government also seeks 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 take an active part in the Joint Ministerial Committee (Europe), working closely with the governments of Wales and Northern Ireland to ensure that the role of the devolved administrations in European affairs is fully recognised.
Enhancing Scotland's Voice in Europe
The Scottish Government proposed to amend the Scotland Bill powers on statutory rights to attend Council of Ministers meetings, both formal and informal, and on attendance of officials at European Commission and Council working groups at which any non-reserved matter is to be considered. The proposal also covered areas in which Scottish Ministers have functions conferred on them directly by Westminster legislation, and executively devolved functions under section 63 of the Scotland Act 1998. The published paper was submitted to the UK Government on 8 August 2011.
On 21 March 2012, the Scottish and UK governments reached agreement on the Bill and principles for its implementation as set out in the news release.
Guidance for devolved administrations on bringing action before the European Court of Justice
The Scottish Government, UK Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive have collectively agreed guidance for when a devolved administration wishes to bring an action before the European Court of Justice. This guidance sets out the procedures to be followed in circumstances where the Scottish Ministers want to bring an action - in their own right - before the Court of Justice of the European Union. The guidance also sets out background information on legal standing before the court and the reasons supporting the agreeing of procedures.
Further information