First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP worked to strengthen Scotland’s ties with the European Union during a series of engagements in Brussels earlier this week.
The First Minister met EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier to discuss the UK/EU talks, which are due to begin next month.
She also spoke to EU Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager about the EU’s Green Deal and the COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow.
Addressing an audience including EU diplomats at the European Policy Centre, Ms Sturgeon said that Scotland’s task now that membership of the EU had ended was to find a voice as an independent nation which could take its place on the world stage.
The First Minister commented:
“It was already clear - and it was reaffirmed to me in the constructive meetings I’ve held today - that there is genuine goodwill in the EU towards Scotland.
On this visit to Brussels I made clear how important it is for Scotland to remain close to the EU.”
Ms Vestager tweeted:
“Very happy to meet and get to know @NicolaSturgeon. Talked about Green Deal and the COP in Glasgow, dynamics of digitisation and AI - lots of opportunities and common, fundamental values to be preserved!”
A transcript of the First Minister’s speech at the European Policy Centre can be found here.
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