ANGUS Robertson has met with key international figures in Brussels in a bid to strengthen Scotland’s ties with the European Union.
The External Affairs Secretary is on a two-day visit to the Belgian capital which coincides with EU Green Week.
Robertson – who has gone over to Brussels with biodiversity minister Lorna Slater - has been stressing shared priorities on climate goals and biodiversity loss during meetings with MEPs and senior Brussels-based diplomats during his trip.
He’s also been making clear his opposition to UK Government plans to override parts of the Northern Ireland protocol.
He has so far met with Canadian ambassador to the EU, Ailish Campbell, to discuss the challenge of cultural and trade links and meeting future energy needs, and the Friends of Scotland MEP group about developing closer links between Scotland and the European Parliament and Scotland’s offer on renewables.
Robertson and Slater will be hosting events in the Scotland House in Brussels as part of the two-day programme.
Robertson said it was still the Scottish Government’s aim to rejoin the EU as an independent country.
He: “Last November, Scotland was proud to host leaders from across the world at the COP26 climate change summit. We are committed to becoming a net zero nation by 2045, and will continue to work closely with our European neighbours, friends and counterparts to deliver on our shared climate goals.
“Like many European countries, Scotland’s population has been shaped by migration. EU citizens have enriched communities in every local authority, and in recent decades free movement within the EU has helped reverse population decline in Scotland.
“European markets dominate our international trade. Indeed, for more than 45 years, individuals, businesses and communities across Scotland experienced the social, economic and cultural benefits of membership of the EU.
“Ensuring the closest possible relationship with the EU is therefore fundamental to Scotland’s future, which is why we will continue to foster ever close ties with our EU partners.
“The Scottish Government’s aim is to re-join the EU as an independent country as soon as possible."
Robertson said he will also be talking with key figures about the UK Government’s approach to the Northern Ireland protocol.
Boris Johnson's Tories are planning to bring in legislation to override the protocol - which formed a key part of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement - amid opposition to it from the Democratic Unionist Party who dislike like how Northern Ireland is being treated differently to the rest of the UK.
Robertson said: “We are in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, so for the UK Government to threaten to breach an international treaty which could spark a disastrous trade war is [an act of] folly in the extreme.
“Despite numerous requests, the UK Government has shown no willingness to engage on key issues for Scotland, such as trade and border control. We continue to press the UK Government to pull back, and focus instead on dialogue with our EU partners and finding a durable, agreed solution to the NI Protocol.”
