Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture meeting with Swiss Ambassador: FOI release

Information requested

You asked for a record of the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture's meeting with Dominique Paravicini in October 2025.

Response

I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because exemptions under sections 30(c) and 38(1)(b) of FOISA apply to that information.

Exemptions

An exemption under section 38(1)(b) applies because the material contains personal data relating to third parties, and disclosure would breach data protection principles. Protecting individuals’ privacy in this way is consistent with our legal obligations and ensures that personal information is handled fairly and lawfully. This exemption is not subject to the ‘public interest test’, so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

An exemption under section 30(c) of FOISA applies to some of the information requested. It is essential for Ministers to be able to meet, often in confidence, with external stakeholders on a range of issues, including with counterparts in other governments. Disclosing certain information about these meetings is likely to substantially inhibit communications with similar stakeholders in the future. There is a vital public interest in allowing Scottish Ministers and officials a private space within which to engage in full and frank discussions with representatives of other States. Such discussion makes for better quality and better informed policies and decisions on issues with an international dimension. Inappropriate disclosure would significantly harm the Government’s ability to carry out many aspects of its work, and could adversely affect its ability to gather all of the evidence  it needs to make fully informed policies.

This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government, and to inform public debate. However, there is a greater public interest in allowing Ministers and officials a private space within which to meet with appropriate external stakeholders as part of the process of exploring and refining the Government’s position on collaboration with foreign counterparts. This private space is essential to enable all options to be properly considered, so that good decisions can be taken based on fully informed advice and evidence. Premature disclosure is likely to undermine the full and frank discussion of issues between the Scottish Government and these stakeholders, which in turn will undermine the quality of the policy making process, which would not be in the public interest.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202500496279 - Information Released - Annex

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