SIR Keir Starmer is to arrive in Edinburgh today to attend his first British-Irish Council meeting.
The 42nd meeting of the council at summit level, which marks its 25th anniversary, brings together British and Irish political leaders twice a year.
Established in 1999 following the Good Friday Agreement, it is tasked with promoting positive and working relations between the nations.
This will be the prime minister’s first meeting of the council since taking office in July and is expected to focus on the climate crisis and transitioning to green energy.
Starmer will hold talks with Scottish first minister John Swinney, the first ministers of Wales and Northern Ireland, the Irish prime minister and representatives of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
Upon being elected, he pledged to work “constructively” with the governments of devolved nations.
This meeting, which began yesterday will explore financing a “just transition” for workers from fossil fuels to green energy alternatives.
Speaking in a press release, Scottish first minister John Swinney said: “I am pleased to confirm Scotland will host the 42nd Summit meeting of the British-Irish Council in Edinburgh – a meeting which marks the 25th anniversary of the first Summit which took place in December 1999 following the Good Friday Agreement.
“Since that first meeting, politics across our nations – and the issues that we have each faced – have changed significantly however the principles underpinning the British-Irish Council remain as important now as they did 25 years ago.
“In this anniversary year, I hope our meeting in Edinburgh will encourage and enhance a shared desire to work collaboratively on the big issues facing people.
“One of the biggest issues facing us all is of course climate change and this summit’s theme of financing a just transition is a critical example of how governments must work together in recognition of the challenges we have to overcome, whilst seizing shared opportunities for the future.”
Scotland has now hosted the council at biannual summit level six times, with the last in-person meeting in 2016.
It also meets at ministerial level three or four times per year.
Since 2012, a standing secretariat to the council has been based in Edinburgh, hosted by the Scottish Government.
