First Minister Alex Salmond last night called for "an era of renewed Scottish internationalism" as he pledged that his executive would engage with the wider world more effectively than the previous administration.

First Minister Alex Salmond last night called for "an era of renewed Scottish internationalism" as he pledged that his executive would engage with the wider world more effectively than the previous administration.

In a speech in Brussels, his first to outline the SNP government's foreign policy, Mr Salmond said it was time for Scotland to "raise our game" on the world stage, starting with developing closer links with the European Union.

Addressing dignitaries at Scotland House - the executive's base in Brussels - the First Minister said the fact that Scotland was not an independent country should not prevent it from seeking to exert its influence around the world.

"The message I offer is that Scotland understands the need to raise our game on the world stage," he said.

"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."

The First Minister added: "My message is a clear and unambiguous one - this is the time for Scotland to assume our obligations and responsibilities to help mould the world around us. This must be an era of renewed Scottish internationalism - both as a tribute to the past and a statement of who we are today."

Mr Salmond said he wanted to emulate the example of the Welsh Assembly which, even though it has fewer legislative powers than the Scottish Parliament, has been far more pro-active when it comes to engaging directly with Europe.

He said: "For a nation with a devolved parliament, there is perhaps an inherent temptation to defer rather than to lead.

"In a European Union of nations and regions it is easy to assume the role of an interested if peripheral observer. I therefore want to be clear from the outset that, as First Minister of Scotland, I have no confusion or prevarication.

"The peoples and institutions of the European Union are central to my vision for Scotland. It will, I hope, be recognised that Scotland requires to rediscover the sense of internationalism that once defined our nation."

A key priority for the executive will be ensuring Scotland leads the United Kingdom delegation at future EU fisheries talks, Mr Salmond said.

"In my view, just as Flanders leads for Belgium at the fisheries council, so should Scotland lead for the UK," he said.

"Regardless of Scotland's constitutional future, and regardless of the future framework of a policy which does the European cause so much damage and which would be better to revert to national control and conservation, it simply cannot be right that Scotland - with 68% of the UK catch and the largest fishing zone of any single EU country - sits in a subsidiary position when these decisions affecting our communities are being made."

Mr Salmond is in Belgium to take part in the commemorations for the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendale.

He will also meet with four EU commissioners today, including the trade commissioner and former Labour cabinet minister Peter Mandelson.