The External Affairs Secretary has urged the European Parliament not to "turn its back on Scotland", as she stressed a special deal for the country must be a key part of Brexit negotiations.
Fiona Hyslop was speaking at a meeting of the Committee for Constitutional Affairs in Brussels examining the impact of Brexit on the constitutional relationship of the EU and the UK.
She told members: "In the turbulent and unpredictable months ahead, I ask you, respectfully, members of the European Parliament, as the elected body representing all EU citizens, please do not turn your back on Scotland.
"Now is the time to demonstrate your solidarity with a nation which voted overwhelmingly to remain within the European Union. We ask that you listen to and defend the interests of people living, working and studying in Scotland who are also EU citizens as part of your role in the Article 50 process and as the negotiations begin."
She said with indications from the UK Government of differentiated deals with some industry sectors in the UK and "flexibility" for movement of people and border controls in Northern Ireland, there is "no good reason" for Scotland not to get a similar agreement.
Ms Hyslop said the Scottish Parliament is likely to need increased powers for a differentiated relationship with the EU.
She said: "We do believe we have the right to ask the UK Government to include a commitment in its Article 50 letter to pursue a differentiated solution for Scotland which will enable us to remain in the single market.
"We also believe that the European Parliament, which represents the voice of EU citizens, has the right to challenge whether the Article 50 negotiations respects the rights of citizens in all parts of the UK and indeed throughout the EU.
"In order that the rights in all parts of the UK are respected, it is essential that differentiation for Scotland and other parts of the UK is a theme for the Article 50 letter, the response and the overall outcome.
"Differentiation must be a key part of the process at the outset, during the negotiations and of the future relationship of the EU as it develops."
ends
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