THE First Minister has said Scotland will have a platform "to make its voice heard" during the visit of US president Donald Trump.
John Swinney said the global attention the visit will receive provides Scotland with an opportunity to demonstrate the principles of freedom and justice for all, while also promoting Scotland’s tourism sector and economic investment potential.
He said he would raise the "unimaginable suffering" playing out in Gaza with the president and ensure Scotland's voice is heard "at the highest levels of government across the world".
Swinney added the US remains one of Scotland's' closest partners, describing Trump's visit as a "landmark moment" in the relationship between the two nations.
"Scotland shares a strong friendship with the United States that goes back centuries. That partnership remains steadfast through economic, cultural and ancestral links – including of course, with the president himself," said Swinney.
"As we welcome the president of the United States, Scotland will be showcased on the world stage. This provides Scotland with a platform to make its voice heard on the issues that matter, including war and peace, justice and democracy.
"It also includes the millions of Americans – many of them potential future tourists or investors in Scotland – who will watch their elected president as he visits our country.
"As First Minister it is my responsibility to advance our interests, raise global and humanitarian issues of significant importance, including the unimaginable suffering we are witnessing in Gaza, and ensure Scotland’s voice is heard at the highest levels of government across the world. That is exactly what I will do when I meet with President Trump during his time in Scotland."
The president is expected to first visit his golf course at Turnberry in Ayrshire before travelling to Trump International Golf Links Aberdeen at the Menie Estate.
There are plans for the First Minister to meet with the president and the Scottish Government has said more information on this will be released "in due course".
On a weekend where widespread protests are expected to take place across Scotland, Swinney said the right to peaceful protest is something "we cherish", adding everyone has the democratic right to express their views.
Swinney went on: "“I am confident the vast majority of people protesting will do Scotland proud and demonstrate as they should – peacefully and lawfully. I am also confident that Scotland’s police service can handle the challenge of keeping all our communities safe and, as they must, in maintaining the appropriate security any US president requires.
"This weekend is a landmark moment in our relationship with the United States, and I am certain it will be remembered for Scotland showing the world the very best of itself.”
Swinney has faced calls from within his own party to confront Trump about the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Nadia El-Nakla, SNP councillor and the wife of the former first minister Humza Yousaf, has told The Times that Swinney should “demand” that Trump “compel” Israel to end the suffering of Palestinians.
El-Nakla is also the convener of the party’s Friends of Palestine group, which has said the meeting must be used to put pressure on the US president.
“Of course, the First Minister should meet with President Trump. This is a critical opportunity to raise, directly and unequivocally, the ongoing genocide in Gaza,” she said.
“Time is not on the side of the people there. As I speak, my family — like millions of others — is starving. The First Minister must demand that Trump use his influence to compel Israel to end the starvation and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people.”
