The College of Europe was honoured to host the First Minister of Scotland, Rt Hon Alex SALMOND MSP on Monday 28 April 2014. The First Minister delivered a keynote speech on EU-Scotland relations and discuss the economic and political value of European integration.
Scotland has played an integral part in Europe since the accession of the UK in 1973 and has benefited from the peace, security and economic opportunities provided by membership of the European Union. Over these 40 years Scotland's economy and society have become fully integrated in the EU single market. In September 2014 the people of Scotland will get to vote on whether Scotland will be an independent country.
A key element of the proposals put forward by the Scottish Government is that Scotland will remain in the EU and become the 29th Member State. In this context, the College of Europe has invited the First Minister of Scotland to discuss Scotland’s contribution to the EU and specifically his vision of Europe and the role that Scotland will play in the EU.
Speech given by First Minister of Scotland, Rt Hon Alex SALMOND
Contacts: Press/Media Contact for the First Minister: |
In collaboration with the Scottish Government EU Office |
Conference Programme:
13.00 Registration and Coffee (foyer)
13.20 Welcoming remarks, Prof. Dr. Dr. Jörg MONAR, Rector of the College of Europe (Room E)
13.30 Speech by Rt Hon Alex SALMOND MSP, First Minister of Scotland
14.00 Question & Answer Session
14.40 Concluding remarks
Venue: College of Europe Bruges campus in Belgium, located at Dijver 11, Bruges.
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Background information and readings:
- Background information on Referendum about Scottish Independence.
- Scottish Government Report on Scotland in the EU, November 2013
- UK Government, Scotland Analysis: EU and international issues, January 2014
- Andrew HUGHES HALLETT, BEEP briefing n° 30: Is Independence Possible in an Interdependent World? Scotland vs. the UK's Participation in the European Economy, October 2013
- Phedon NICOLAIDES, Is Withdrawal from the European Union a Manageable Option? A Review of Economic and Legal Complexities , Bruges European Economic Policy Briefings, n. 28, Mau 2013.
- Phedon NICOLAIDES College of Europe blog, March 2014
Video:
This event in the press:
- Telegraph
- Financial Times 1 / 2
- Hurriyet Daily News
- EU Observer
- STV News
- Wings Over Scotland
- The Scotsman
- BBC News 1 / 2
- The Guardian
- Reuters
- El Mundo
- El Pais
- La Vanguardia