Sturgeon uses French trip to make business case for post-Brexit Auld Alliance

The First Minister will lead a delegation of technology companies who will showcase their products and services to French partners, academics and customers in Paris.

Latest figures show France is Scotland’s third largest international export market worth an estimated £2.4 billion to the Scottish economy.

During the visit the First Minister will address the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Assemblée Nationale, the lower house of the French Parliament on Tuesday, meet Minister for European Affairs Nathalie Loiseau and officially open the Scottish Government’s France Hub.

The trip will also be used to encourage EU citizens to stay in Scotland after Brexit.

The Scottish first minister isaid she would “always make it clear that EU citizens are welcome”.

The Home Office is currently testing an application system for settled status in the UK, which it said 100,000 people had successfully taken part in so far.

In January, Prime Minister Theresa May announced that fees for EU nationals to apply to stay in the UK after Brexit had been scrapped - although Ms Sturgeon said this was only after lobbying from other parties.

The First Minister said: “The relationship between Scotland and France is one of the oldest in the world.

“France is our third largest export market and French-based firms play a key part in our economy, with investments in financial services and our food and drink industry.

“By promoting trade and investment, and officially launching our new hub in Paris, the Scottish Government is working to show Scotland is open for business and an attractive place to invest, visit, work and live.

“Despite the challenges we face as a result of Brexit the Scottish Government will continue to do all we can to show the world that we are an open and outward looking country.”