Dateline: Brussels 16th October 2025
Scotland’s biggest and oldest pro-EU organisation, the European Movement in Scotland (EMiS), has set up a branch in Brussels. EMiS Brussels was launched at a reception in Scotland House, Brussels, on 16th October. The new group’s Chair is Colin Brown, a senior trade and sanctions lawyer at the European Commission and an Honorary Fellow of Edinburgh University Law School. Ian Forrester KC, a Scottish advocate, honorary Professor and former Judge in the EU court in Luxembourg will serve as the branch’s Honorary President. He has a global reputation for his expertise in European law.
Speaking at the launch, Mr Forrester said that because EMiS has no party-political affiliation it is attractive to Scots who are passionate about Europe but don’t wish to engage in party politics.
“Brexit damaged us. There is no aspect of Scottish life which has been helped by Brexit. With the setting up of EMiS Brussels, we are starting to bridge the Brexit gap between Scotland and Europe. Many Scots who live and work here intimately understand the enormous contribution the EU brought to Scottish and UK life. We profoundly believe in a Europe united for democracy, peace, security and prosperity. We think Scots do also.”
EMiS Brussels will have representatives on the management committee of EMiS in Scotland. A founding group of ten Scots and friends of Scotland have formed a Brussels committee. It aims to grow the group’s membership and run a series of in-person and online events.
David Martin, President of EMiS and a former Labour party Member of the European Parliament (MEP), spoke at the launch of EMiS Brussels. He said, “The creation of this new Scottish group in Brussels is a wholly positive and progressive event. The failures of Brexit run deep and affect everyone in Scotland, every business, every community. It is wonderful that Scots in Brussels are leading the way in rekindling the ties between Scotland and Europe.”
Alyn Smith, a former SNP MEP and a Vice-President of EMiS said: “In my last speech as a Member of the European Parliament, I asked my remaining colleagues from the other 27 member states ‘to keep a light on
for Scotland.’ The arrival of EMiS Brussels says the flame has never died. It is energising to see Scots based in Europe strengthening the ties between their homeland and Europe. This is a great initiative.”
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