John Swinney speaks of 'landmark moment' ahead of Donald Trump visit
He said he would raise the "unimaginable suffering" playing out in Gaza with the president and ensure Scotland's voice is heard "at the highest levels of government across the world".
Swinney added the US remains one of Scotland's' closest partners, describing Trump's visit as a "landmark moment" in the relationship between the two nations.
READ MORE: Donald Trump protest near mother's birthplace planned for Scotland visit
"Scotland shares a strong friendship with the United States that goes back centuries. That partnership remains steadfast through economic, cultural and ancestral links – including of course, with the president himself," said Swinney.
"As we welcome the president of the United States, Scotland will be showcased on the world stage. This provides Scotland with a platform to make its voice heard on the issues that matter, including war and peace, justice and democracy.
"It also includes the millions of Americans – many of them potential future tourists or investors in Scotland – who will watch their elected president as he visits our country.
"As First Minister it is my responsibility to advance our interests, raise global and humanitarian issues of significant importance, including the unimaginable suffering we are witnessing in Gaza, and ensure Scotland's voice is heard at the highest levels of government across the world. That is exactly what I will do when I meet with President Trump during his time in Scotland."
The president is expected to first visit his golf course at Turnberry in Ayrshire before travelling to Trump International Golf Links Aberdeen at the Menie Estate.
There are plans for the First Minister to meet with the president and the Scottish Government has said more information on this will be released "in due course".
On a weekend where widespread protests are expected to take place across Scotland, Swinney said the right to peaceful protest is something "we cherish", adding everyone has the democratic right to express their views.
READ MORE: Ian Murray hints at meeting Donald Trump in Scotland visit
Swinney went on: "'I am confident the vast majority of people protesting will do Scotland proud and demonstrate as they should – peacefully and lawfully. I am also confident that Scotland's police service can handle the challenge of keeping all our communities safe and, as they must, in maintaining the appropriate security any US president requires.
"This weekend is a landmark moment in our relationship with the United States, and I am certain it will be remembered for Scotland showing the world the very best of itself.'
Swinney has faced calls from within his own party to confront Trump about the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Nadia El-Nakla, SNP councillor and the wife of the former first minister Humza Yousaf, has told The Times that Swinney should 'demand' that Trump 'compel' Israel to end the suffering of Palestinians.
El-Nakla is also the convener of the party's Friends of Palestine group, which has said the meeting must be used to put pressure on the US president.
'Of course, the First Minister should meet with President Trump. This is a critical opportunity to raise, directly and unequivocally, the ongoing genocide in Gaza,' she said.
'Time is not on the side of the people there. As I speak, my family — like millions of others — is starving. The First Minister must demand that Trump use his influence to compel Israel to end the starvation and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people.'
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11 minutes ago
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Times
12 minutes ago
- Times
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41 minutes ago
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Officers locked down Balmedie Country Park and its coastal stretch — which has won 20 awards for the quality of its sand and water. Locals have vowed to protest after the Scottish Government announced a tournament held at his Trump International resort is being given £180,000 of taxpayers' cash. An onlooker said: 'Police were shutting off the beach and the park. 'It's one of the country's best and we're in the middle of the school holidays. 'Trump doesn't own it so it feels ridiculous that people who live here are being told to leave. "Loads of people were told to go. 'Is it any wonder most people around here hate him so much?' Downing Street last night said Mr Trump and Sir Keir are expected to discuss progress on implementing the UK-US trade deal agreed in May, hopes for a ceasefire in the Middle East and applying pressure on Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. It comes amid pressure on Starmer from Labour MPs to urge the US to rejoin Israel-Hamas peace talks, amid the starvation of kids in Gaza. No10 said in a statement that the 'strength of the UK-US relationship will be on display again' as the PM meets Mr Trump in 'for wide-ranging talks'. It said: 'The leaders are expected to talk one-on-one about advancing implementation of the landmark Economic Prosperity Deal so that Brits and Americans can benefit from boosted trade links between their two countries. 'The Prime Minister is also expected to welcome the President's administration working with partners in Qatar and Egypt to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza. 'Mr Trump's visit comes amid mounting global anger over the humanitarian conditions in Gaza. Police lock down Scots country park and beach ahead of Donald Trump's arrival Foreign Secretary David Lammy said access to aid in Gaza must be 'urgently accelerated', after air drops by Jordan and the United Arab Emirates yesterday. It came hours after Israel opened up aid corridors and 'refuted' the 'false claim of intentional starvation'. Mr Swinney said: 'My meeting with the US President during his visit to Scotland presents a significant opportunity to speak up for the issues that matter to people in Scotland on the highest platform. Global, humanitarian issues are rightly at the forefront of many people's minds. 'It is of utmost importance that we discuss what action can be taken to end the horrific suffering we are witnessing around the world, particularly the unimaginable hardship being endured by people in Gaza and the need for an urgent ceasefire. 'Both the US President and I share a fundamental desire to build peace across the world and to end the suffering endured by so many. I hope that our discussion helps to further that aim.' Mr Trump will visit the UK again in September for the official state visit announced earlier this year. But a senior whisky industry source warned: 'If the PM comes away from the Trump visit with nothing more on trade there will be serious questions to answer about whether he really fought as hard as possible for Scotland and the UK's interests, or if he just went there and tried not to upset Trump.'
