WIREDGOV

UK Government urged to opt in to EU relocation scheme.

Europe Minister Humza Yousaf will urge the UK Government to involve Scotland in EU negotiations which will directly affect our nation’s future.

Speaking ahead of a meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee (Europe) with the UK Government and representatives of other devolved administrations in London, Mr Yousaf said Scotland must have a formal role in developing the UK’s negotiating position with the EU.

Mr Yousaf also called on the UK Government to participate in EU proposals on refugee relocation and to take a proportionate share of people fleeing conflict and persecution.

He argued that the UK has a “moral obligation” to do so – and committed Scotland to take its own proportionate share in turn, which would likely be no more than around 230 people a year over two years.

Mr Yousaf said:

“Scotland greatly benefits from our membership of the European Union – with around 330,000 Scottish jobs estimated to be directly linked to our membership, and with the EU the destination for 46 per cent of Scotland’s total exports in 2013 – worth £12.9 billion to Scotland’s economy.

“The UK Government is jeopardising Scotland’s place in Europe and conducting negotiations which may require treaty change. This may well affect many areas of devolved competence and could have a profound effect on the future of every part of these islands.

“Given that, I believe Scotland and indeed the other devolved administrations must have a clear role in the UK’s renegotiation with the EU to ensure our interests are considered. It seems absurd and disgraceful that other EU nations know the UK agenda on reform while devolved administrations will be kept in the dark.

“The Scottish Government will continue to do everything it can to ensure Scotland’s interests and make a powerful and positive case for Scotland and the UK’s continued membership of the EU."

On the issue of migrants fleeing conflict and persecution, Mr Yousaf said:

“The UK Government has a moral obligation to participate in EU proposals on refugee relocation and should therefore not hesitate to opt in.

“We, and our EU neighbours and friends, have an obligation to offer a place of safety to these desperate people fleeing for their lives.

“This is not a simple issue, but the European Union has a history of addressing complex problems and we must work together to help end the tragic loss of life. We want to see multi-lateral and collective efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in danger.

“Scotland and the UK must take our fair share of those in need of protection – in terms of the EU proposals on relocation that is likely to be no more than 230 people a year over two years in Scotland - and Europe must reach agreement on refugee relocation.

“It is vital that both the Scottish and the UK Governments use our influential position to shift the public rhetoric on migration and asylum and reflect the situation in the Mediterranean in context.

“These vulnerable migrants are victims, not a threat. The EU proposals on relocation specifically seek to assist those in clear need of international protection. We need to remember the value of their lives and their right to dignity and humanity. We must take action, and the Scottish Government once again offers its support to the UK Government to address this desperate situation.”

Last month Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop wrote to UK Immigration minister James Brokenshire urging him to work to address the desperate situation faced by migrants in the Mediterranean.

Notes To Editors

The EU proposals on relocation do not include the UK as the opt in right applies but if we apply the same proportion to relocation as is recommended under resettlement (an 11.54% share) the UK share would likely be around 2,300 per year over two years. Scotland’s proportionate share is likely to be no more than 10 per cent of the UK share, around 230 per year over two years.