Minister-president Bourgeois received Fiona Hyslop, Scottish Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs on 12 October. They discussed the Flemish and Scottish positions in the Brexit negotiations.
The United Kingdom’s imminent departure from the EU entails considerable challenges for both states. Flanders seeks to protect its trade with the UK, and therefore calls for a trade-friendly future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union. Furthermore, Flanders calls for a ‘plus-agreement’ that, in addition to trading, fosters cooperation in areas such as education and research, transport and energy after Brexit.
Scotland showed interest in the position of Flanders. For Scotland, continued access to the internal market after Brexit is paramount.