Scot Govt: Cabinet Secretary asks European Parliament to ensure Scotland’s voice is heard during Article 50 process (30/01/17)

External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop has urged the European Parliament to stand up for its citizens and challenge whether Brexit negotiations respect the rights of citizens in all parts of the UK.

Ms Hyslop made the call as she put forward the case for Scotland remaining within the single market even if the rest of the UK leaves, to the European Parliament’s Constitutional Affairs Committee.

Ms Hyslop told the Committee:

“While the UK as a whole voted to leave the European Union, the people of Scotland voted categorically to remain within it.

“We believe that finding a way to continue Scotland’s membership of the European single market, including the four freedoms, is central to the health of our economy and our prosperity as a nation.

“I accept that Article 50 negotiations will be between the UK and the EU and that’s why we are committed to working positively and creatively with the UK Government.

“We know the UK Government will need to be flexible when dealing with the border and free movement issues posed by Northern Ireland, and it looks like it will seek a differentiated approach for particular sectors. So I see no good reason why flexibility shouldn’t also apply to Scotland when there is a very clear democratic mandate to protect the interests of the people of Scotland within the EU, and within the UK.

“And we also believe that the European Parliament – which represents the voice of EU citizens – has the right to challenge whether the Article 50 negotiations respect the rights of citizens in all parts of the UK.

“It is therefore essential that differentiation is a key part of the Article 50 process – at the outset, during the negotiations and as the future relationship with the EU develops.

“The bonds of friendship between Scotland and other countries in Europe are as deep, strong and mutually beneficial today as at any time in our shared history.

“As a nation which voted overwhelmingly to remain within the European Union we seek your solidarity and support.”

Scot Govt: UK must be prepared to compromise

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will call on the Prime Minister to set out how the UK Government intends to reach UK wide agreement on the aims of the article 50 negotiations, when she attends the Joint Ministerial Committee meeting in Cardiff (Monday).

The meeting will include discussions on Scotland’s Place in Europe, the Scottish Government’s proposals for maintaining access to the single market.

Also tomorrow, Cabinet Secretary for External Affairs Fiona Hyslop will continue our efforts to ensure Scotland’s position is heard in Europe, becoming the first government Minister from any part of the UK to speak at the European Parliament since the EU referendum last June.

Ms Hyslop will appear before the Constitutional Affairs Committee to set out the Scottish Government’s work to explore distinct solutions to protect Scotland’s interests, remain in the single market and maintain its relationship with Europe.

The First Minister said: “It is becoming clearer with every day that passes that the UK Government is determined to pursue a hard Brexit and I am determined to do all I can to protect Scotland’s from the devastating impact that would have.

“In Scotland’s Place in Europe we have set out a range of propositions to keep Scotland in the single market and these will be discussed at tomorrow’s meetings. I hope the discussion on this tomorrow will be meaningful, but the process has been deeply disappointing so far. The Prime Minister must start to demonstrate not only that the UK government is genuinely listening to the views of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but also that they are prepared to act on them in order to reach the UK position that she said she was committed to.

“The Scottish Government has offered significant compromises in our proposals for Scotland’s place in the EU but we have yet to see any movement from the UK Government.

“Time is running out for the Prime Minister to demonstrate that she is going to uphold the commitment she made to me shortly after taking office that Scotland will be fully involved in discussions to develop an agreed UK approach and listen to alternative proposals for Scotland.”

http://news.gov.scot/news/joint-ministerial-committee-on-brexit

Brexit impedes cultural and tourism opportunities. (25//01/17)

Membership of the EU Single Market and free movement of people is critical to the health of Scotland’s culture, tourism and creative sectors.

Culture, Tourism and External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop said Scotland’s ability to establish creative partnerships, access EU funding and attract EU nationals to work in our tourism industry would be curtailed.

Retaining the ability of EU nationals to come to Scotland to work is also essential. 21% of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s musicians and staff, for example, are from the EU and more than 20,000 staff from other EU countries are employed in Scotland’s tourism industry.

The high proportion of staff from overseas, including the EU, is an important component in the international reputation of the Edinburgh festivals. The cultural skills and international networks that these staff bring are vital to sustaining the festivals world class programmes.

Ms Hyslop and Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe Michael Russell met with industry leaders in Edinburgh to discuss the impact of leaving the EU. She said:

“Our ties with Europe are historic, and we need to protect them if we are to continue to reap the benefits – both from an economic perspective, but moreover to protect our commitment to human cultural and intellectual collaboration.

“We have published our proposals to secure Scotland’s interests and to protect our relationship with the EU. Despite her strong signals that the UK is moving towards a hard Brexit the Prime Minister has committed to give our proposals serious consideration and we are determined to hold her to account.

“Freedom of movement within the EU allows our culture, creative industries and tourism sectors to recruit the best talent from across the EU, strengthening each sector’s contribution to Scotland’s economy and enriching our culture. I have heard the concerns of our industries first hand today, and I am determined to ensure their future prosperity is protected.”

Scottish Tourism Alliance Chief Executive Marc Crothall said:

“With the picture of post-Brexit Britain and the implications for our tourism business becoming clearer, it is important that we have regular dialogue and a place round the table with the Scottish Government and our public agencies to discuss the main issues and concerns which our tourism businesses are facing.

“Our priority will be to try to mitigate the negative effects of Brexit for our industry and influence supportive change at policy level to allow our tourism businesses to face the future confidently.”

Membership of new Trade Board confirmed

Date: 25/01/17

Scotland’s international exports rose from £27.7 billion in 2014 to £28.7 billion in 2015.

The USA continues to be Scotland’s top trading partner outside of the EU. Within the EU, the Netherlands was again the largest market.

The latest statistics show that exports to countries within the European Union were estimated as £12.3 billion, an increase of £520 million on the previous year driven by an increase in the export of petroleum and chemical products.

Exports to the rest of the UK in 2015 were estimated at £49.8 billion, an increase of £2.1 billion, driven by a rise in the export of utilities such as electricity, gas and water.

Economy Secretary Keith Brown said:

“It is hugely encouraging to see that Scotland’s total international exports, excluding oil and gas, increased by £1 billion in a year.

“It is clear that since the vote to leave the European Union, we must continue to be seen to be a country that is outward facing and open for business. The EU market is 8 times the size of UK market, which highlights the importance of remaining in the Single Market.

“I want to be clear that Scotland should not face a choice between exporting to the EU or UK. We can do both.

“We are working on an ambitious programme of internationalisation, including measures to broaden Scotland’s export base and to grow exports beyond our traditional markets, which is why I am pleased to confirm membership of our new Trade Board, who will take forward this important work alongside our new hubs in Dublin, Brussels, London and Berlin and our planned network of trade envoys.”

The Trade and Investment Strategy included a commitment to create a Trade Board, chaired by Keith Brown, to boost the number of exporters, to help join up services and support and increase the number of exports to new markets.

The membership of the Board is deliberately business focused and brings together a range of people with significant expertise and relevant experience in exporting activity from a variety of perspectives who will perform an advisory function to the Scottish Government.

The statistics can be accessed here: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/Exports/ESSPublication

Article Source: http://news.gov.scot/news/international-exports-rise-by-gbp-1-billion