Celebrating Scotland and Northern Ireland's Shared Heritage and Strengthening our Union

That the Parliament recognises the deep and enduring bonds between Scotland and Northern Ireland and what it considers to be the important place that these historic connections hold within the United Kingdom; celebrates the shared history, culture, traditions and family ties that unite communities across both countries; notes that generations of Scots and people from Northern Ireland have lived, worked, served and built families across both countries; recognises what it sees as the significant contribution made by Ulster-Scots heritage to the cultural identity of Northern Ireland and its close historical relationship with Scotland; further recognises the contribution that Scotland and Northern Ireland make to the United Kingdom’s shared economic, cultural, sporting and civic life; believes that the free movement of people, ideas, culture and commerce between Scotland and Northern Ireland is a strength of the United Kingdom and should be encouraged and protected; welcomes the continued development of relationships between Scottish and Northern Irish politicians, civic organisations, businesses, churches, cultural groups and community organisations; believes that the Union is strengthened not only by constitutional arrangements but by the everyday relationships between the people and communities that comprise it; considers that greater cultural, educational, economic and civic exchange between Scotland and Northern Ireland can help reinforce a shared sense of British identity and belonging, and calls on the Scottish Government to work with relevant organisations to strengthen links between Scotland and Northern Ireland, promote shared Scottish and Ulster-Scots heritage, encourage educational and cultural exchanges, and support initiatives which celebrate the enduring relationship between these two constituent countries of the United Kingdom.