Scottish Parliament joins 'Best of Scotland' celebrations in European Parliament

117/2005 | 28 November 2005

The Scottish Parliament will be represented at an event in the European Parliament tonight (Monday) to celebrate Scottish culture.

Deputy Presiding Officer Trish Godman is visiting the European Parliament in Brussels to attend an evening reception taking place to mark the beginning of Best of Scotland week.

She will give an opening address at Slainte Scotland, an evening reception which will feature live music in the Members’ Restaurant in the European Parliament. Around 400 guests are expected to attend.

The Deputy Presiding Officer is also due to meet James Nicholson, a Quaestor of the European Parliament.

Deputy Presiding Officer Trish Godman said:

"We Scots feel that we have our own distinct contribution to make to both Britain and the European Union, especially as about 75 per cent of what we do in the Scottish Parliament starts in Europe and we are responsible for scrutinising around 2,000 European regulations per year.

"Several links have been forged between the Scottish Parliament and European institutions this year through events at Holyrood, with several delegations from the EU visiting, and it is pleasing that with the Best of Scotland week taking place in Brussels, the importance of Scottish identity is prominent at their end as well."

Background Note

Several Europe-related events have taken place at Holyrood during the UK's EU Presidency.

These have included:

• A meeting of the Committee of the Regions Economic and Social Commission (ECOS) in the Main Chamber;

• A sitting of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in the Main Chamber;

• A visit from the President of the European Parliament, Mr Josep Borrell Fontelles;

• A visit from Douglas Alexander MP, the Minister for Europe and MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South.

There was also praise for the Parliament's e-petitioning facility at an event in the European Parliament in Brussels in May, held by EPRI (European Parliaments Research Initiative) Knowledge.

For more information on this, visit
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/nmCentre/news/news-05/pa05-046.htm

And earlier this month, a European Parliament official visited the Parliament for guidance on setting up a web television channel following the success of www.holyrood.tv.

For more information on this visit
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/nmCentre/news/news-05/pa05-101.htm

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