Despite 62% of Scots voting in favour of remaining in the EU in the 2016 referendum, Scotland is now outside the EU. With the end of the beginning of the first phase of Brexit now concluded as of 31st January, the negotiations on the UK’s future relationship with the EU are likely to be fraught. The contrast between the negotiating positions announced by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Michel Barnier are already raising alarm bells and casting doubt on the UK government’s willingness to stay true to EU rules on state aid, competition, social and environmental standards, climate change and tax, as outlined in the political declaration to the withdrawal agreement.
 
With fears of the negative impact on Scotland’s economy and its relations with the rest of Europe growing by the day, calls for an independent Scotland are likely to increase despite Boris Johnson’s dismissal of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s request for a second referendum on Scottish independence. At this Briefing, the First Minister will set out her position on the implications of Brexit for Scotland, her hopes and expectations for the negotiation process and her vision for Scottish–EU relations. She will also speak about Scotland’s vision for the 2020 United Nations Climate Change Conference - COP 26 in Glasgow in November. The Briefing and question & answer session will be chaired by EPC Chief Executive Fabian Zuleeg.