First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says she has held ‘constructive’ talks with Berlin’s Europe minister in the German capital.

The SNP leader has made a surprise visit to meet the Minister of State for Europe, Michael Roth, to discuss the EU referendum result and the next steps for the EU, the UK and Scotland.

The First Minister set out Scotland’s perspective on the result of the UK referendum on the EU, which saw Scotland vote to remain part of the EU and her determination to explore all options to protect Scotland's interests.

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Mr Roth made it clear that Europe could only weather the coming trials by coming together and that the German government would work hard to boost capability and cohesion in Europe. He said the European Union was much more than an internal market and had to strengthen its role as a community of shared values.

Speaking after the meeting, the First Minister said: “Today’s discussion has been a welcome and constructive opportunity to strengthen our relations to discuss the way forward for the European Union and how all voices can be heard in that process.

“Scotland chose to remain in the European Union, and the solidarity shown toward Scotland as an enthusiastic part of the EU - demonstrated once again in today’s talks here in Berlin – has been very welcome.”

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Minister of State Roth added: “This has been a very pleasant and constructive conversation between two dedicated pro-Europeans and has demonstrated once again that a degree of Europe’s strength lies in its diversity. I hope that the UK finds a way forward that will benefit Europe as a whole in the end.”