European and External Relations Committee, 15 Dec 2009

Meeting date: Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Official Report 198KB pdf

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Brussels Visit

The next item is a quick oral report on our Brussels visit. Colleagues who took part in the visit will agree that it was positive and a good opportunity to meet key figures in the various EU institutions. We were able to obtain useful early intelligence about the expected shape and activity of the European institutions and agenda over the next few years and, interestingly, some of the potential impacts of the new Lisbon treaty, which we will consider officially as part of our inquiry into the issue.

It is important to note that, during the visit, the "Holyrood Highlights" programme was broadcast from outwith the Scottish Parliament for the first time; that was a nice first for both the committee and the Parliament. The comments that I have received indicate that the programme was well received. I invite other colleagues who were on the trip to comment.

The visit was worth while.

The clerks will prepare a detailed written report, because we had a large number of meetings and covered a lot of ground. The report will be brought before the committee at our January meeting. On behalf of the committee, I thank the clerks and Ian Duncan for all the assistance that they provided during the trip.

As we have agreed to take the remaining items on the agenda in private, I bring the public part of the meeting to a close.

Meeting continued in private until 12:24.