Thread by @AMSalamone

DEAR MINISTER – My recommendations to the new Scottish Government on conducting and developing Scotland's European and international relations. In the olden days, I would have written an op-ed or an 'open letter', but new times, new methods. A thread. #ScotEU #ScotFP

#1 – As we know, Brexit has regrettably been realised. EU-UK relations will now unfold. Scotland's opposition to Brexit is widely, if not universally, known across Europe. That opposition no longer needs to be the central message to fellow Europeans. The focus moves to the future

#2 – A new Global Affairs Framework – or, better, a European and Global Affairs Framework – should define principles and priorities for EU and international engagement for the rest of this decade. It should be designed to operate regardless of Scotland's constitutional debate

#3 – Resources for EU and international engagement will be limited. Within the EU, the priority of bilateral investment should be on France and Germany, then others. Outwith the EU, more investment in a holistic bilateral relationship with the United States would be beneficial

#4 – Productive bilateral relations are sustained by ensuring the continued mutual interest of both sides. The means to best ensure that outcome is to focus on practical cooperation in areas of joint interest. The independence debate should be minimised in all official relations

#5 – The network of Scottish Government offices in the rest of Europe can be purposefully expanded up to a limit. The first priority should be on major EU states without an office: notably Spain, Italy & the Netherlands. After that, an office in a Nordic EU state would make sense

#6 – Attention should be paid to how the government can proactively Europeanise and internationalise itself further. Ensuring full integration into policies and debates of the European Union will be a major part in maintaining Scotland's connectivity to the EU in the years ahead

#7 – The sentiment is that government will engage more in international affairs – and that is welcome. Foreign policy – beyond the workings of the EU, in the wider world – is challenging. Credibility requires honesty that many global situations are complex, without easy solutions

#8 – The prevailing tendency to frame Scottish policies – on Brexit, EU relations, foreign affairs – by contrast to UK policies is something to moderate. Major differences between them will be evident to EU and international actors. Scotland should focus on telling its own story

#9 – COP26 is a major opportunity for Glasgow and Scotland, even with the pandemic. Yet, the current level of Scotland-UK animosity will be a hindrance and it will be challenging to be a quasi-host rather than a full one. To maximise Scottish soft power, focus on the positive

#10 – States, the EU and international organisations will pay more attention to Scotland's positions on European and global issues, in response to the evolution of the independence debate – mainly to assess the implications for them. They will value clarity and consistency

SO, MINISTER – The core question is: How will Scotland define itself in Europe and the world – now and under independence? Combining values and interests, internal and external action. Envisioning Scotland's European and global role, for the decades ahead. Bonne chance – FIN –