GUY Verhofstadt, a former Belgian prime minister and EU political heavyweight, will speak at a pro-EU dinner in Edinburgh, it has been announced.
One of the most influential European political leaders of recent decades, Verhofstadt will be the keynote speaker at the annual dinner of the European Movement in Scotland on November 1.
Remarking on his forthcoming visit, Guy Verhofstadt hailed “internationalist” Scotland.
“Scotland is the most pro-EU part of the UK. Its people understand the value to its trade, security, education, sport and culture of being at the heart of European affairs,” he said.
“They are not isolationists but internationalists. They are not fantasists, but realists. They are not afraid of deep democratic cooperation between states but see the clear benefits of it.
"I look forward to being in Edinburgh, and I’m delighted that the European Movement in Scotland has invited me to visit a truly great European capital city.”
Guy Verhofstadt was prime minister of Belgium between 1999 and 2008, then served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP), retiring in 2024.
His many senior roles at the European Parliament included being Brexit coordinator and, for four years, chair of the Brexit Steering Group following the UK’s 2016 EU referendum.
He is president of the European Movement International.
