Plaid Euro MEP Jill Evans is backing the proposed joint Wales-Scotland bid for the 2016 European Championship Football Finals.

Responding to the news that Scottish First Minister, Alex Salmond, has requested a meeting with his counterpart in the National Assembly to discuss the proposal, and that Rhodri Morgan had responded positively, Jill Evans said:

"I would urge the Football Association of Wales and the Scottish Football Association to agree as soon as possible on a joint bid, so that there can be a concerted effort to bring the tournament to our two countries.

“Bringing the finals to Wales would have a number of benefits for us as a nation. For example, economists working for the Austrian government, where the present finals are being co-hosted expect to see their country benefit by 321 million Euros. In addition they expect 263 million Euros to be spent in Austria during the competition, plus several thousand jobs created in construction, tourism and services. In the hotel trade alone, they expect an extra 830,000 hotel rooms bookings from teams, officials and supporters.

“There are also health and social benefits. With the increased investment in sporting infrastructure, this should have a positive effect on the health of our nation. The fact that Wales would be competing in the finals on home soil should help to inspire people of all ages.

“I would like to think that visitors who come for the football would return to Wales after the competition bringing a boost to our tourism industry. With the worldwide exposure such an event would bring, we could only benefit.”