Strengthening Scotland's relationship with the European Union

First Minister John Swinney hosted the European Union's Ambassador to the UK, Pedro Serrano, and a delegation of six Ambassadors from EU Member States, at Bute House today. It was one of the EU Ambassador's last engagements in Scotland before leaving post.

During the meeting the First Minister set out the Scottish Government's commitment to strengthening the positive relationship between the European Union and Scotland, and thanked Ambassador Serrano for his service and constructive approach to EU-Scotland relations.

Speaking after the meeting in Edinburgh, the First Minister said:

I am very grateful to Ambassador Pedro Serrano for his dedicated service and thank him for the constructive, warm relationship he has helped to foster between Scotland and the European Union.

While I regret the cancellation of the UK-EU Summit, Scotland wants to strengthen our already close relationship with the European Union a relationship to which we have so much to offer and which is so important to our prosperity and security.

Over the course of his posting, Ambassador Serrano has played an important role in sustaining and strengthening the longstanding positive relationship between Scotland and the EU. That relationship is reflected in the many connections that continue to bring us closer together from educational opportunities between our colleges and universities, to the vital links between our civic societies, and the mobility that supports our businesses.

These ties are of immense importance to Scotland, especially after we were removed from the EU against the will of the people, and we remain committed to nurturing and building on them in the years ahead.