EU invitation for Scottish Government minister
Scottish Government invited to represent UK at EU Education Council.
The Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Angela Constance has been invited to take part and speak on behalf of the UK at the upcoming EU Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council in Brussels on 12 December.
A letter from the Education Secretary Nicky Morgan confirming the invitation was sent today.
Scottish Secretary Alastair Carmichael said
I am pleased to confirm that Angela Constance has been asked to represent the UK Government at the forthcoming EU Education Council on 12 December.
I want to see a sensible, professional and responsible working relationship between Scotland’s two Governments. Whether its Scotland’s fishing industry or schools and teachers across the country, above all else, they want to see the best possible outcome for our country in Europe.
The Concordat recognises that the Devolved Administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have a role to play in relevant Council meetings and I am pleased to see this being taken forward as normal.
The terms of the Concordat on International Relations between the UK and Scottish Governments make clear that that the devolved administrations may hold working-level discussions on devolved matters with foreign national or sub-national governments or appropriate counterparts in international organisations.
The devolved administrations may also, in co-operation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, make arrangements or agreements with foreign national or sub-national governments or appropriate counterparts in international organisations, to facilitate cooperation between them on devolved matters provided that such arrangements or agreements do not purport to bind the UK in international law, affect the conduct of international relations or prejudice UK interests.