SENIOR SNP and Green politicians have welcomed a move by Brussels to look at ways Scotland can remain in the EU's Erasmus scheme.
The move comes as 141 MEPs from countries across the EU make the case for Scotland and Wales to be able to stay in the education programme to the European Commission's chief Ursula Von Der Leyen.
Terry Reintke, Vice-President of the Greens / EFA group in the European Parliament initiated the letter which was also sponsored by the fellow German MEP David McAllister - a political ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Von Der Leyen is also close to Merkel having previously served in her government as defence minister.
READ MORE: Brussels looks at enabling Scotland to remain in EU's Erasmus scheme
The letter was co-sponsored by European heavy weight Polish MEP Radek Sikorski, an ally of the former President of the European Council Donald Tusk.
The Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer welcomed today's development.
“Erasmus has been amazing for young people in Scotland, giving students the opportunity to study and experience other countries. It’s not just for universities either.
"Colleges and youth clubs, including many in our most deprived communities, get opportunities through Erasmus which they would never otherwise have. Denying these opportunities through Brexit was an act of pure spite from the UK Government,"he said.
“Last year, I asked the Scottish Government to explore the option of Scotland continuing to participate in Erasmus even after we’d been dragged from the EU by the Tories.
"I’m so grateful to see Green colleagues in the EU fighting for Scotland’s right to continue to participate and I sincerely hope that we can reach a positive outcome. Scotland wants no part of the UK’s self-inflicted post-Brexit isolation.”
Angus Robertson, the former SNP deputy leader and the party's candidate for Edinburgh Central at the Holyrood elections, highlighted The National's story on the development.
He wrote on Twitter: "Would be good to hear if Scotland's opposition parties support the efforts of the Scottish Government and cross-party MEPs to protect Scotlands place in the European Erasmus education scheme?"
READ MORE: Scottish Government 'looking at options' to remain in Erasmus scheme
Reintke told The National today: "Every young European should get the chance to participate in an exchange programme. Not only helps it to understand the host country, but also to experience first-hand European values and ideas.
"I could also made this experience during my Erasmus exchange. My time studying in Edinburgh was one of the most wonderful and formative periods in my life.”
The letter comes as senior members of the Commission held talks for Scottish higher education minister Richard Lochhead to what processes could be put in place.
Under the heading "Scotland and Wales future in the Erasmus Programme" the letter said:
"Dear Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, dear Commissioner Mariya Gabriel,
"Following the end of the transition period and the conclusion of the negotiations with the United Kingdom, we are writing to you regarding the following matter: As voiced by many on both sides of the Channel, we are deeply saddened and concerned to have learnt that the Government of the United Kingdom decided to leave the Erasmus programme.
"The Erasmus programme has proven to have a significant impact on young people's lives in Europe - not only on their language, cultural and personal skills, but also on their motivation to strengthen a peaceful and solidary European society.
"We would like to address the following questions as we recognise a pronounced aspiration coming from Scotland and Wales to enable students and young professionals to continue participating in this programme:
• Do you see a pathway to extend the benefits of Erasmus Programme to students and young professionals in Scotland and Wales?
• Would you consider Scotland and Wales as entities as mentioned in the inter institutional agreement text on the future regulation for the Erasmus Programme?
• Have you been in contact with the respective above mentioned governments and, if not, would you be willing to further purse this matter in a direct exchange?
We are looking forward to receiving clarifications on this matter and thank you in advance for your answer."
The National revealed last month that Nicola Sturgeon's government was to consider ways to stay in the Erasmus scheme.
Lochhead said at the time the UK Government’s decision to walk away from Erasmus - used by more than 2,000 Scottish students and young people annually - was a huge blow.
He told us: “I will be writing to the UK Government to express my profound disappointment at this decision and their plans for a watered down alternative to the programme – all of which has been pushed through irrespective of views of the Devolved Administrations.
“This is simply unacceptable and we are looking at alternative options.”
The First Minister had previously condemned Boris Johnson's decision to pull out of the Erasmus scheme - which is open to non EU members.
She tweeted: "Ending UK participation in Erasmus - an initiative that has expanded opportunities and horizons for so many young people - is cultural vandalism by the UK Government."
Johnson opted not to continue with UK membership of the Erasmus scheme despite previously saying the UK would stay in it.
The PM said the UK would establish its own scheme with “the best universities in the world”, to be named after the British computing pioneer Alan Turing.
The omission of Erasmus from the UK-EU deal ended a scheme that had offered student exchanges as well as school links, work experience and apprenticeships across Europe since 1987.
Under the latest version of the scheme, Erasmus+, around 200,000 people have taken part including around 15,000 British university students each year.
The following non-EU members - or third countries - take part in the university exchange part of the programme: Republic of North Macedonia, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Turkey, Serbia
In January last year, Johnson assured MPs there was “no threat to the Erasmus scheme”.
But confirming the end of membership, he said in December: “On Erasmus, it was a tough decision.”
He claimed the UK “loses out” financially because of the larger number of EU nationals coming to study in the UK.
“So what we are doing is producing a UK scheme for students to go around the world,” the Prime Minister said.
“It will be called the Turing scheme, named after Alan Turing, so students will have the opportunity not just to go to European universities but to go to the best universities in the world.
"Because we want our young people to experience the immense intellectual stimulation of Europe but also of the whole world.”
The Republic of Ireland has previously committed to fund Northern Ireland's continued membership of Erasmus.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel