Nicola Sturgeon will voice the Scottish Government’s support for continued membership of the European Union on a visit to Brussels.

The First Minister will address these issues in a speech at the European Policy Centre in the Belgian capital on Tuesday.

She will also hold meetings with EU President Jean-Claude Juncker and the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier.

The Herald:

Her visit comes just weeks after the European elections - where the SNP increased its share of the vote and won three of the six spots for Scottish MEPs.

Ms Sturgeon said: “People living in Scotland have shown once again that they comprehensively reject Brexit and want to remain as a European nation.

“Membership of the EU not only has huge economic benefits for Scotland, but is the basis of the core values we share around democracy, equality, co-operation and human rights.

“My engagements in Brussels are an opportunity to outline the Scottish Government’s support for those values and how they contribute to a better Scotland, Europe and wider world."

She concluded: “On issues such as climate change and tackling inequality we can all work together to ensure the wellbeing of our citizens, as well as the wealth of member states.”