8 June 2015

The First Minister started her 5 day official visit to the US by paying her respects at the 9/11 memorial in New York.

The memorial commemorates the September 11 attacks of 2001 and the World Trade Center bombing of 1993.

It is located at the World Trade Center site where the Twin Towers once stood.

Following the visit she said:

“We all remember where we were when we learned of this terrible tragedy that affected not only the people of New York and the US but ordinary people in Scotland and all over the world. It was and will to this day sadly remain one of the most significant events of this century.

“The magnitude of loss suffered here echoes across this fitting memorial marking the bravery of so many ordinary people who lost their lives.

“It was an honour to visit this memorial and pay my respects as the First Minister of Scotland and an important reminder that no matter where we are in the world, we shouldn’t take our freedoms for granted. We must all do what we can to fight against injustice and work hard day in, day out, to protect our liberty and help make the world a better place.”

Over the course of the next 5 days the First Minister will meet with businesses and potential investors who will help grow the economy in Scotland. She will and have a series of high level meetings with Government officials and organisations that will help to strengthen the already strong relationship Scotland enjoys with the US.