Nicola Sturgeon yesterday opened the Scottish government’s office in Copenhagen but failed in a bid to meet the Danish prime minister.
The first minister’s request for time with Mette Frederiksen was knocked back but she was given an early morning meeting with Jeppe Kofod, the foreign minister. The pair “discussed how Scotland and Denmark can work together on issues such as the cost of living crisis, energy and the climate emergency,” according to the Scottish government.
Sturgeon has been criticised for travelling to open the “Nordic Office” — which is based inside the UK embassy — with waste piling up on Scotland’s streets and workers across the public sector threatening to strike.
A source told The Scottish Sun: “The first minister was of course keen to meet with Frederiksen but it wasn’t possible. It obviously wasn’t the reason for the trip.”
Sturgeon met Kofod around 7 am before hosting a roundtable with State of Green, a group pushing for a transition towards renewables, business and energy leaders to discuss “how Scotland and the Nordic region can work together to accelerate decarbonisation and share expertise”.
She then visited a Unicef supply warehouse in Copenhagen this afternoon to see how it is supporting children impacted by the war in Ukraine before opening the office with an official reception.
Foreign affairs are reserved powers with the UK government, but the Scottish government spends about £6 million a year on a network of overseas offices.
In addition to the new Denmark hub, Scotland has bases in Canada, China, America, France, Ireland, Germany and Belgium. Offices include a £2.5 million base in Brussels, the heart of the European Union, which employs about 20 people.
Scottish government officials said hubs increase visibility for Scotland and create new economic and trading opportunities. However, the Scottish Conservatives have accused the first minister of being “caught asleep at the country’s wheel while rubbish is piling up on [our] streets”.
A Scottish government spokesman said: “The first minister is visiting Denmark for a series of trade, investment and policy engagements, including meeting representatives of the Danish government.”
Kieran Andrews
“Nosher” Sturgeon needs to start doing the day job not swanning around larping as a Head Of State.
You’re a regional administrator. Almost nobody outside of this country knows who you are.
Mette is somewhat busy right now. Many political problems, including a dive in the polls ahead of a pending election.
We actually need some trash talking from Nicola to deal with the crisis in her back yard. Leave the junkets for more fruitful years.
What a waste of our money. Foreign affairs are reserved to westminister. The next PM should make it so any devolved spending on reserved issues should be fined to the ruling party.
£6 million a year wasted, meanwhile, Scottish NHS staff get paid less than England and Wales.
Yet Danish papers say that the Danish PM was busy and couldn’t make the time but the foreign minister went on his stead. Amazing how the tone is different when you consider who writes the headline.
9 comments
Nicola Sturgeon yesterday opened the Scottish government’s office in Copenhagen but failed in a bid to meet the Danish prime minister.
The first minister’s request for time with Mette Frederiksen was knocked back but she was given an early morning meeting with Jeppe Kofod, the foreign minister. The pair “discussed how Scotland and Denmark can work together on issues such as the cost of living crisis, energy and the climate emergency,” according to the Scottish government.
Sturgeon has been criticised for travelling to open the “Nordic Office” — which is based inside the UK embassy — with waste piling up on Scotland’s streets and workers across the public sector threatening to strike.
A source told The Scottish Sun: “The first minister was of course keen to meet with Frederiksen but it wasn’t possible. It obviously wasn’t the reason for the trip.”
Sturgeon met Kofod around 7 am before hosting a roundtable with State of Green, a group pushing for a transition towards renewables, business and energy leaders to discuss “how Scotland and the Nordic region can work together to accelerate decarbonisation and share expertise”.
She then visited a Unicef supply warehouse in Copenhagen this afternoon to see how it is supporting children impacted by the war in Ukraine before opening the office with an official reception.
Foreign affairs are reserved powers with the UK government, but the Scottish government spends about £6 million a year on a network of overseas offices.
In addition to the new Denmark hub, Scotland has bases in Canada, China, America, France, Ireland, Germany and Belgium. Offices include a £2.5 million base in Brussels, the heart of the European Union, which employs about 20 people.
Scottish government officials said hubs increase visibility for Scotland and create new economic and trading opportunities. However, the Scottish Conservatives have accused the first minister of being “caught asleep at the country’s wheel while rubbish is piling up on [our] streets”.
A Scottish government spokesman said: “The first minister is visiting Denmark for a series of trade, investment and policy engagements, including meeting representatives of the Danish government.”
Kieran Andrews
“Nosher” Sturgeon needs to start doing the day job not swanning around larping as a Head Of State.
You’re a regional administrator. Almost nobody outside of this country knows who you are.
Mette is somewhat busy right now. Many political problems, including a dive in the polls ahead of a pending election.
We actually need some trash talking from Nicola to deal with the crisis in her back yard. Leave the junkets for more fruitful years.
What a waste of our money. Foreign affairs are reserved to westminister. The next PM should make it so any devolved spending on reserved issues should be fined to the ruling party.
£6 million a year wasted, meanwhile, Scottish NHS staff get paid less than England and Wales.
Yet Danish papers say that the Danish PM was busy and couldn’t make the time but the foreign minister went on his stead. Amazing how the tone is different when you consider who writes the headline.
Unionist support; Nicola smack down, Nicola ignored, Nicola knocked back.
Real world media: fm of Scotland meets Danish foreign minister.
I think someone tripped the cyber nat bat signal again.
She dodged a bullet there, getting out of that meeting with Sturgeon!
I couldn’t imagine anything worse than having to spend 1min of my time in the company of that miserable, sour-faced, racist goblin.
well, im sure this thread will be full of nothing but well balanced and fair comments about Sturgeon from unionists.