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Scotland's interests in the current crucial debates on the Common Fisheries Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy must be given full weight said Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochhead.
In a letter to DEFRA Secretary of State Caroline Spelman, Mr Lochhead requested an early meeting to discuss how best the Scottish and UK Governments can work together to ensure Scotland's interests are fully represented in Europe.
Writing immediately after his re-appointment as Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Mr Lochhead said: "I am writing to you on my first day back in post because of the crucial important of the relationship between the Scottish Government and the UK Government on the issues in my portfolio.
"With the strong mandate the new Scottish Government has received from the Scottish people, I will be reinforcing my efforts to ensure that Scotland's interests are given full weight in the current crucial debates on the Common Fisheries Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy.
"I and Stewart Stevenson, the new Minister for Environment and Climate Change, would like to meet with you and your Ministerial colleagues as soon as possible to consider how best we can work together."
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