MIKE Russell will seek to rebuild close relations Scotland and France when he visits Paris today.
The Constitutional Relations Secretary will meet leading entrepreneurs when he addresses the country’s largest business conference MEDEF .
He will emphasise the Scottish Government’s opposition to a “deeply damaging” Brexit and its support for remaining in the EU single market and customs union.
Russell is expected to say: “Scotland hugely values our relationship with France, and we are determined to make it go from strength to strength.
“Business links between our two countries are very important. France is Scotland’s third most important export destination.
“In recent years you have been our largest European inward investor. French businesses employ more than 20,000 people in Scotland. And 10,000 French citizens currently live in Scotland, contributing hugely to our economy and culture and our society.”
He will reiterate the 62% majority vote north of the border for remaining in the EU and argue for the economic and societal value of staying in the customs union and single market
Russell will say: “The UK Government has ruled out single market membership... The potential chaos that could be caused by alternative solutions is becoming all too obvious.
“So for all of these reasons, the Scottish Government will continue to argue for a common-sense approach to Brexit...We believe that that is the best outcome for Scotland, for the UK as a whole, and indeed for Europe. Regardless of the outcome of the Brexit negotiations, Scotland will continue to be an outward-looking, open, internationalist country. And as part of that, we will continue to encourage trade, inward investment and international collaboration. In doing so, we are making it clear how much importance we attach to our friendship with France.”
France opened a new consulate near St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh last year in a bid to renew economic and cultural links with Scotland. An Auld Alliance between France and Scotland dates back to when France was Scotland’s closest ally.
For much of the almost 300-year period from 1295 to 1560, the two nations were united to oppose aggression from England, culminating in French troops arriving in Scotland to help repel Henry VIII’s forces in 1548.
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