Nicola Sturgeon has said Scotland will be at the “centre of international attention” in 2020 in her New Year message.
The first minister highlighted the UN climate change summit in Glasgow in November as key date for the year ahead, which she said would give Scotland the chance to show it is leading by example.
Addressing the UK’s scheduled exit from the EU in January, the SNP leader sought to reassure EU citizens and said the Scottish Government would work towards giving people the opportunity to “determine Scotland’s future”.
“As we celebrate the start of 2020 and a new decade, we look forward to a year in which Scotland will be at the centre of international attention,” she said.
“In November, the United Nations climate change summit in Glasgow will attract more than 30,000 people from around the world.
“Hopefully that summit will lead to progress in tackling the most important issue that the world faces.
“And it will give Scotland a chance to show that we are leading by example – not just by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions but by doing so in a way that helps to build a fairer, healthier and happier society.”
The first minister added: “The Glasgow summit comes near the end of what will be a historic year.
“Against the wishes of most people in Scotland, we will leave the European Union at the end of January.
“In the year ahead the Scottish Government will do everything we can to mitigate the worst impacts of Brexit.
“We will work to ensure that people in Scotland have the chance to determine our own future – by deciding whether we wish to become an independent country.”
In his own New Year message, Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw spoke of his optimism the UK can move on from a “decade of division”.
“We may be leaving the institutions of the European Union at the end of the month but the UK and Europe remain united by our shared continent,” he said.
“This is your home and we want you to stay.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said Brexit and Donald Trump were among the challenges facing the UK over the next year.
“Around the globe, dark currents have buffeted liberal democracy,” he said in his message.
“Boris Johnson’s Brexit threatens to cut us off from our European neighbours, while Donald Trump’s trade wars and Twitter tirades threaten to undo America’s status as a global leader.
“Meanwhile from Hong Kong to Xinjiang, protesters and activists face brutal clampdowns.
“These are the challenges we must face up to over the next 12 months.”
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said: “New Year is a time for reflection and it’s also a time for resolve.
“So we should resolve to build a better society, one which is free from poverty and inequality.
“Let’s resolve to work together to build that better society. Happy New Year.”
