Energy Minister Stephen Gethins will stress the ‘critical’ role Scotland has to play in protecting Europe’s energy security during his first engagement with the European Union.
Mr Gethins will meet with representatives of the European Parliament and the European Commission during his two day trip to Brussels – his first official trip as Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Energy.
The Minister will highlight how Scotland’s existing natural resources and infrastructure can help tackle rising energy bills, and that its future lies in rejoining the European Union as an independent country.
Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Energy Stephen Gethins said:
“Scotland has a critical role to play in safeguarding European energy security. At a time of rising bills, driven by geopolitical instability, Europe needs reliable partners and reliable supply — and Scotland can be both.
“As a massive energy exporter, Scotland can be part of the solution. In 2025 alone, our net electricity exports were 20.8 terawatt hours, enough to power the equivalent of every home in Scotland for around three and a half years.
“This is also happening in the backdrop of the recent tenth anniversary of the UK’s Brexit referendum. The decision to leave the EU has caused nothing but harm to Scotland. Scotland is a proud European nation, and I also believe that Scotland’s brightest future is as an independent nation and member of the European Union for the sake of our security, prosperity, and our people.
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“Scotland has been at the heart of Europe in the past and it is where we will remain now and in the future. That is my message to our key partners on my first Ministerial visit to Brussels.”
Background
The Minister will travel to Brussels on Monday 29 June.
