European Commission

Speaking about Europe competition

Speaking about Europe competition for novice speakers is run on a Scotland-wide basis. The final of the competition, sponsored by the European Parliament and organized by the Scottish European Educational Trust, took place in the European Parliament Office in Edinburgh on 16 June 2009.

This year's overall winners who spoke about relations between the UK and the EU came from Holyroood Secondary School in Glasgow.

Maritime Day 2009

The European Commission Office in Scotland, along with Aberdeenshire Council, the East of Scotland European Consortium and the North Sea Commission, held a 2 day conference this week in Boddam, near Peterhead in the north east of Scotland, to mark European Maritime Day.

The international conference brought together a number of stakeholders and explored how best to implement the EU's maritime policy in a way which would reflect local needs.

Over three distinct sessions the theme of a local dimension to the EU maritime policy was explored.  The first session was opened by Maja Kirchner from the European Commission, who presented the thinking behind the EU maritime policy and the role international organisations can play in this. 

Subsequent sessions looked at local, regional and industry case studies, and discussed how to implement the policy in a way that provides opportunities for and respects the needs of maritime stakeholders and communities.

In a keynote speech from the Scottish Government, Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, described the Government's approach to marine affairs and the Marine Bill currently before the Scottish Parliament.

The European Commission's representative in Scotland, Neil Mitchison, speaking after the event said: "I am delighted that Aberdeenshire Council, in partnership with the other organisations involved, organised this event in Boddam.  Local and regional authorities have an important role to play in the implementation of the new European maritime policy, and over these two days I have seen how keen and willing Scottish and other stakeholders are to play their part in this process."

He added: "The discussions and debates have been very fruitful, and the European Commission looks forward to continuing the development of this process over the coming months."

For more information on this event and EU maritime events across the EU go to: http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/maritimeday/index_en.html

What does the European Commission Office in Scotland do?

We report back to Commissioners and officials in Brussels on EU-related aspects of Scottish political and business life and help people here in Scotland to have a better understanding of European issues and the Commission’s role in the EU.

A major task of the office is to follow the EU-related work of the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament. We have regular contacts with Ministers, MSPs and with the permanent staff of the Government and Parliament.

The Office handles a wide range of Scottish press and media enquiries on current EU issues. Press releases issued by the Commission in Brussels are readily accessible via the web here.

If Scottish journalists have any further questions, we are happy to hear from them and will advise on any aspect of EU policy with impact in Scotland.