Newly appointed First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been urged to visit the north-east more often to better understand the challenges it faces.
Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald issued the call on the member for Glasgow Southside because she was last in Aberdeen on official business in August 2013.
“I welcome her commitment to build positive working relationships in Aberdeen and the north-east, particularly with Labour-led Aberdeen City Council,” he added.
“But if she is really to support the region she needs to get out more and seek to understand all of Scotland, not just in the central belt.
“In the last two years, Nicola Sturgeon has visited Aberdeen only once in her role as minister for cities, which must be some kind of record.
“She will need to come to Aberdeen a lot more often in the next few months, if she is really to get to grips with the economic and cultural significance of the north-east as a whole.”
Mr Macdonald said the SNP leader needed to understand that the level of Scottish Government funding for Aberdeen City Council was lower now than under any previous government of any party.
“If Nicola Sturgeon wants to make a real difference in Aberdeen and the north-east, she needs to address funding issues,” he added.
Moray SNP MSP Richard Lochhead said his colleague’s elevation to the head of the Scottish Government “heralds a new era” in politics.
“She is immensely talented and the leading figure of her generation,” he added.
“Nicola is very committed to serving all of Scotland irrespective of backgrounds or political views.
“I have no doubt that the public in the north and north-east will welcome her passionate and refreshing approach to political life.”