Edinburgh - 28 June 2016 // SOUNDBITE (English) Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish First Minister: “The Scottish government continues to believe that membership of the European Union is in the best interest of Scotland for our economy for our society, our culture and our place in the world.” // SOUNDBITE (English) Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish First Minister: ++MULTIPLE ANGLES++ “Scotland spoke clearly for ‘Remain’ and I am determined that Scotland’s voice will be heard.” // SOUNDBITE (English) Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish First Minister: “Now like all of us, I hope very much that we will see an early return of stability and some confidence. However, I do fear that we are still in the early days of this period of risk and uncertainty.” // SOUNDBITE (English) Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish First Minister “Politicians who proposed this referendum, no matter how bruised they feel by the result, have a duty now to step up to deal with the consequences of its outcome and those who campaigned for a ‘Leave’ vote, making a number of promises in the process, must now be clear and honest about their plans to deliver.” // SOUNDBITE (English) Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish First Minister “There cannot be three months of drift now while both the government and main opposition parties at Westminster immerse themselves in eternal elections. That would compound the difficult situation we’re already facing and risk even more damage to our economy.” // SOUNDBITE (English) Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish First Minister: ++INCLUDES CUTAWAYS+ “You (migrants) are welcome in Scotland. This is your home and we value your contribution (applause).” // SOUNDBITE (English) Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish First Minister “Tomorrow I will make an initial visit to Brussels to set out Scotland’s position and interests to representatives of the major groups of the European Parliament and to the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz. I expect to hear from the Prime Minister on the outcome of the European Council taking place this week, and following that I intend to set out Scotland’s position directly to the European Commission.” // SOUNDBITE (English) Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish First Minister “During the (Scottish) independence referendum we were told that staying in the UK meant we could benefit from having guaranteed access to the EU. Indeed that was a driving factor in many people’s votes. That is no longer true. The country and the constitutional settlement the people of Scotland voted for in 2014 is no longer a reality. Based on the very clear result in Scotland, if we were to be removed from the EU it would be against the will of our people. That would be democratically unacceptable. It is for that reason that I have said that everything must be on the table to protect our place in Europe, including a second independence referendum and to ensure the option of holding a referendum, within the time frame of UK negotiations on leaving the EU is viable, we will prepare the legislation now.”