FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon pledged to strengthen economic co-operation with the German state of Bavaria as she signed a joint declaration in Edinburgh.

The agreement seeks to build on existing relationships and aims to support further joint working on business, enterprise, innovation and research projects.

The declaration was signed by Sturgeon and Ilse Aigner, deputy minister-president of Bavaria. Their meeting was part of a Bavarian return mission to Scotland after Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse led a trip to Munich last year.

Sturgeon said: “Scotland has a strong relationship with Germany and is committed to further enhancing our cultural, economic and political links.

“The implications of Brexit mean it is more important than ever to maintain productive relationships with our European partners.”