<p>Relations between the Welsh and Qatari Governments</p>

Part of 3. 3. Topical Questions – in the Senedd at 2:23 pm on 7 June 2017.

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Photo of Mr Simon Thomas Mr Simon Thomas Plaid Cymru 2:23, 7 June 2017

We really are in quite a bit of a conflict here, aren’t we? We have two sets of so-called allies disagreeing with themselves about who’s funding what sort of terrorism and extremism whereas—let’s call it out for what it is—both sides are funding their own brand of extremism in the middle east.

Can the Welsh Government do two things that I think are within its remit and perfectly appropriate for the Welsh Government to do in these circumstances? First of all, can you publish a list of your own relationships with Qatar, including ministerial meetings and any trade relationships that the Welsh Government has undertaken in Qatar over the last five years, and what you have been promoting there, so we can understand from the point of view of transparency exactly what has been done? Secondly, can you put pressure on the UK Government to publish the long-awaited report on the funding of extremism in this country, and where the funds of extremism come from, whether that be Saudi Arabia, Qatar or elsewhere in the middle east? And they come in very dubious ways, as we know.

Thirdly, what can you say to the Chamber today and going forward about the relationship of Pembrokeshire with the importation of LNG gas? The land border with Qatar is closed. The air border, if you like, is also closed, in effect. At the moment, the ports are open, and of course it is the shipping that brings the gas to Wales, but any escalation of the problem there could have a real impact on our own economy here in Wales, and in west Wales in particular. So, those three things, I think, are perfectly appropriate for the Welsh Government to do, even though these issues are not devolved.