PRESIDENT OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT VISITS SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT

108/2005 |09 November 2005

The President of the European Parliament, Mr Josep Borrell Fontelles, will tomorrow (Thursday) visit the Scottish Parliament.

During his visit, the President will address a public meeting held by the European and External Relations Committee, meet Deputy Presiding Officer Trish Godman and observe First Minister's Question Time in the Main Chamber.

Mr Borrell will attend the committee meeting in Committee Room 2 from 12.45pm-1.30pm .

In an event, titled "Future of Europe: Conversation not confrontation needed", Mr Borrell will speak for around 15 minutes before taking questions from the audience.

A small number of tickets are available to members of the public, and can be obtained by emailing europe@scottish.parliament.uk in advance of the event. Access information for members of the media can be found at the end of this release.

Deputy Presiding Officer Trish Godman said:

"The UK 's Presidency of the EU has brought European issues to the fore. The role Scotland can play within Europe , as well as its links to the European Parliament, is central to the work of the Scottish Parliament.

"I am delighted President Borrell has taken this opportunity to visit our Parliament, and allow us an opportunity to hear his thoughts on these and other issues."

The visit from Mr Borrell follows two similar visits from his two predecessors as President of the European Parliament, Nicole Fontaine, in June 2000, and Pat Cox, in February 2003.

His address to the European and External Relations Committee follows a similar event in September, when Douglas Alexander, the Minister for Europe at Westminster , visited Holyrood to discuss the UK 's Presidency of the EU.

The committee meeting will also be webcast live on the Scottish Parliament's website, Holyrood.tv.

The President's schedule at the Parliament will include:

11.00am Arrives at the Scottish Parliament, Queensberry House, to be met by Deputy Presiding Officer Trish Godman.

11.20am Tour of the Scottish Parliament building.

12.00pm Observes First Minister's Question Time in the Parliament's Main Chamber.

12.40pm Addresses a meeting of the European and External Relations Committee.

1.35pm Attends a lunch hosted by the Deputy Presiding Officer.

3.00pm Press Conference.

3.15pm President departs Scottish Parliament.

Access Arrangements

Mr Borrell will be available for interviews and a photocall in the Scottish Parliament's Garden Lobby at 3pm. Journalists, press photographers and TV cameras are welcome to attend and are asked to contact the Parliament's Media Relations Office to make arrangements in advance.

Reporters are welcome to attend the European and External Relations Committee meeting and are asked to contact the Parliament's Media Relations Office to make arrangements in advance.

Media without Scottish Parliament media accreditation should contact the Scottish Parliament Media Relations Office to organise a day pass (0131 348 6265).

Photography

Photographs will be available by contacting Andrew Cowan in the Scottish Parliament's Media Relations Office on 0131 348 6269 or andrew.cowan@scottish.parliament.uk.

The Parliament's media contact is:

Sally Coyne Tel: 0131 348 6269
RNID TypeTalk calls welcome
email: sally.coyne@scottish.parliament.uk

For public information enquiries, contact: 0131 348 5000 or 0845 278 1999 (local call rate)
Text phone: 0131 348 3415 RNID Typetalk calls welcome
email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk

Visit our website at: www.scottish.parliament.uk