BRINGING EUROPE TO SCOTLAND - SWEDISH AMBASSADOR TO VISIT PARLIAMENT

(12.45 pm, Thursday 7 December

With Sweden assuming the Presidency of the European Union on January 1, 2001, the Swedish Ambassador to the UK, His Excellency Mat Bergqvist, has accepted an invitation from the Scottish Parliament's European Committee to meet MSPs to discuss Sweden's proposals and priorities for the presidency.

The meeting takes place at 12.45 p.m. in Committee Room 1 of the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 7 December.

Bearing in mind Scotland's growing interest in the European agenda, European Committee Convener Hugh Henry MSP has decided to open the meeting to members of the public and broadcast the event globally on the World Wide Web.

Hugh Henry said:

"I am delighted His Excellency has agreed to address our committee. If we are to play our full role in helping to shape future developments within the EU, it is vital that we appreciate fully the aims of each new presidency. This meeting offers our Parliament an excellent, early opportunity to hear at first hand Sweden's prioirities for her 2001 presidency."

Members of the public wishing to reserve a seat in the public gallery can do so by contacting David Simpson, Assistant Clerk to the European Committee on 0131 348 5226

BACKGROUND NOTES

Sweden takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on January 1 2001. The Presidency is currently held by France. On July 1 2001 the Presidency is then handed to Belgium.

The Official Website of the Swedish Presidency can be found at: www.eu2001.se

The committee's membership is as follows: Dennis Canavan, Bruce Crawford, Hugh Henry (Convener), Sylvia Jackson, Cathy Jamieson (Deputy Convener), Richard Lochhead, Margo MacDonald, Maureen Macmillan, David Mundell, Irene Oldfather, Lloyd Quinan and Ben Wallace.

Non-accredited media wishing to cover this meeting should contact the Media Relations Office on 0131 348 5389/5605.