IN these times of global uncertainties it is quite right for Scotland to reach out internationally to make friends and influence people, organisations and other countries. Especially when the UK is inward-looking and sabotaging its international reputation – it’s essential for our partners to know that Scotland is open for business and remains a trusted partner on shared challenges like the environment.
We can be proud that we have a First Minister and Scottish Government that takes its international obligations seriously, whether that is with fellow European Union nations, our northern European neighbours, countries with important trading ties and also nations like Malawi where we have a historic connection and development responsibilities.
It is hugely impressive to watch the efforts that have been made to promote trade and commerce, from cutting-edge technology to our hugely successful food and drink sector, our academic institutions, our environmental policy successes, our fantastically rich cultural offering and also celebrating and protecting the contribution of people who have moved to Scotland and the contribution of Scots around the world.
In the past year First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been promoting Scotland in China, the United States, Canada, Germany, France and other key countries.
Since becoming becoming First Minister, she has made sure that important global decision-makers are aware of Scotland’s priorities, including the Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, head of the International Monetary Fund Christine Lagarde and leading business figures like Microsoft founder Bill Gates.
In our near neighbourhood, the links between the home nations are a key priority both bilaterally and multilaterally through the likes of the British-Irish Council and directly with our northern Nordic neighbours.
Since the 2016 Brexit referendum when Scotland voted to remain in the European Union and our southern neighbours voted to leave, there has been a huge focus on protecting links with our EU friends in the world’s biggest single market.
Numerous meetings with EU Council president Jean-Claude Juncker, chief negotiator Michel Barnier and other key European decision makers have been held to explain Scotland’s preference to remain in the single market and customs union. They understand that so long as Westminster ignores Scottish wishes, we face the prospect of a damaging Brexit, but that this will have consequences for Scotland’s future.
This week the respected international affairs journal Foreign Policy is reporting on “Scotland’s Marriage of Inconvenience – As Brexit looms, Edinburgh may forge its own path on the world stage”.
Nicola Sturgeon told Foreign Policy: “We’re already taking steps to make sure that Brexit doesn’t isolate Scotland and see us turn inward rather than continue to look outward. The expansion of our presence, mainly across Europe but also in the United States and Canada, is all part of that.”
Retired senior British diplomat Dame Mariot Leslie, who last served as UK ambassador to Nato, said: “I think Scotland’s political culture is very different to the political culture south of the Border. It is still a bastion, an increasingly rare bastion … of the old liberal international order, of multinationalism, interest in international co-operation, a view of solidarity across borders for the greater global good.”
This is the message that is being reported in the European and foreign policy community. In addition to Foreign Policy
this week, it was also one of the world’s most respected and widely reported newspapers Le Monde that featured Scotland’s international situation.
Under the headline quote “L’Ecosse deviendra un pays indépendant” (Scotland will become an independent country) the paper reported on “La première ministre écossaise” Nicola Sturgeon and her rejection of the damaging Brexit policies of Theresa May.
This happened in the week that we learned that the cost of a damaging no-deal Brexit to Scotland would potentially amount to a 7% drop in gross domestic product, a 10-20% drop in Scottish exports, net migration turning negative, unemployment rising by 100,000 and a recession starting this year.
Given these potentially devastating circumstances it is absolutely critical that we have the best possible international relations. If we are to dig ourselves out of this Brexit hole which was not of our making, we need friends across Europe and the wider world.
Scotland has a fantastic international record considering the constraints of devolution. Imagine how much better things can be with full and unfettered international relations. Scotland has a lot to offer Europe and the wider world.
The time is coming when we must take up that challenge. Let’s help those who are not yet persuaded about the need for this change.
The status quo is not acceptable and not sustainable. Let’s give people in Scotland the confidence to take the next step.
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