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Salmond to hold talks in Europe Scotland 'should lead fish talks'
(1 day later)
Alex Salmond is making his first trip abroad as Scotland's first minister on a two-day visit to Belgium. Scotland needs a "new relationship" with Europe to lead the way in fishery negotiations, according to First Minister Alex Salmond.
Mr Salmond is there to commemorate the biggest loss of life in World War I at Passchendaele, in which Scottish regiments played a major part. Mr Salmond is taking part in talks on trade and fishery policy in Brussels on his first official trip abroad.
He will take the opportunity to discuss the Scottish Executive's priorities with European Union commissioners. Labour said any attempt by Scotland to lead UK fishery talks in Europe would be "nonsense".
These will include talks with Peter Mandelson on trade and Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg. The first minister will also attend a ceremony to mark the biggest loss of life in World War I at Passchendaele.
Mr Salmond was setting out the Scottish Executive's priorities with European Union commissioners.
It is time for Scotland to take more responsibility for the world we share Alex SalmondFirst Minister
These are to include talks with Peter Mandelson on trade and Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg.
The first minister said: "I believe it is time to transform the nature of Scotland's representation and impact in Europe.
"It is time for Scotland to take more responsibility for the world we share and to offer the insight and leadership of a nation keen to embrace the immense possibility that working within an expanded European Union offers."
Mr Salmond said it was not right that Westminster leads fishing talks, while Scotland has 70% of the UK catch.
He spoke about his desire for an independent Scotland to play a part in European politics, saying: "We recognise the success of so many small countries in Europe, and we aspire to the independent membership of the EU that they enjoy."
But Labour's Rhona Brankin said any move by Scotland to try to take the lead in fishery negotiations would fail.
She said: "The UK coastline is shared between Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland - all with major fishing industries.
"So the notion that Scotland should have the sole right to speak for the UK on fisheries matters is fanciful nonsense."
Scottish regiments played a major part in the battle at Passchendaele.
More than half a million British, Commonwealth and German troops died at Passchendaele in three months of bloody fighting in the deep Flanders mud in 1917.More than half a million British, Commonwealth and German troops died at Passchendaele in three months of bloody fighting in the deep Flanders mud in 1917.
A Celtic Cross is to be erected as part of 90th anniversary ceremonies, in honour of the fallen from the 10 Scottish regiments involved. A Celtic Cross is to be erected later in the year as part of 90th anniversary ceremonies, in honour of the fallen from the 10 Scottish regiments involved.
In his meetings with EU commissioners in Brussels, Mr Salmond is expected to make clear that he believes Scotland needs a stronger voice at the top table.