CHARLIE FLANAGAN IS visiting Scotland today in a bid to boost Irish-Scottish relations.
The Foreign Affairs Minister said the trip marks a “new chapter” between the two nations.
Flanagan will meet Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, as well as a number of other politicians and business people.
He said there is “great potential” in the future relationship from economic, academic and cultural communities.
Just as Ireland completes its transition from austerity and recession to recovery and job creation, Scotland moves forward following its extraordinary national debate leading to the referendum of last September.
Scotland voted against leaving the UK (55% against, 45% in favour) in September.
Flanagan said he wants to see “more two-way trade and investment, more tourism exchange, more research collaboration, more exchange of people and ideas”.
Government support will be provided for these, including through official visits and exchanges and through the assignment of an additional diplomatic officer to Ireland’s Consulate General in Edinburgh.
Flanagan is set to give a keynote address at the Europa Institute of the University of Edinburgh this evening.
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