Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. I would like to thank Jeremy Miles for raising this important topic. I think this is probably the most critical time since devolution in terms of Wales’s international agenda. It’s also good to use the opportunity tonight to welcome the extensive experience that you are bringing to this debate, and indeed, into this Assembly, and to draw attention to the fact that we are probably not fully enabling that experience and that focus—which David Rees also drew attention to—in our proceedings. But, I think it is important, as you say, that we did publish ‘Wales in the World’, the Welsh Government’s international agenda, in 2015. But, what a great—you know, what happenings. What a great deal has happened since then. The EU referendum result and last week’s election showed, of course, the impact of events, and of course, these events have a major impact on our international agenda.

I think that when the implications of Brexit are clearer, we will be able to prioritise how we engage in a reshaped European Union and beyond, and take informed decisions about how best to allocate our resources. At that point, we will publish a new international strategy. But, in the meantime, we are continuing with our international engagement on all the fronts that you have referred to, and I will touch on those. Now, more than ever, we need to develop the economy to ensure that Wales continues to prosper. The focus of our international work is clear: to create a more prosperous and sustainable Wales through increased export and investment while increasing Wales's influence and international recognition. I think that's that kind of wider diplomatic, political role that we need to focus on that you've drawn attention to today. We need to continue to promote Wales as a great place to live, study, work, visit and do business. We need to secure the financial position for this generation, our children's generation, and generations to come.

Since devolution, the Welsh Government has a good story to tell. Our international reputation around the globe has grown and continues to grow, and where we are known we are no longer regarded as a little backwater with a scarred landscape, as a reminder of days gone by when we had a thriving coal industry; we now have a completely different profile and are better known for our knowledge-based economy, cutting-edge research, excellent higher education sector, a fantastic location to visit, with tourism figures going up and up, and for the excellent quality of our food and produce. In terms of reputation, earlier this month, the eyes of the world were on Wales when over 200 million people from over 200 countries and territories watched the UEFA Champions League finals, the first time that the men's and women's finals have been held in the same city on the same weekend, and 170,000 visitors from across the globe came to Cardiff for these events. And you can't put a price on the value of positive international profile.

You've mentioned culture. Culture has a huge part to play in developing profile, helping to develop influential links at all levels. And Wales is rich in culture and heritage, and we need to make that work for us, now becoming known internationally as the home of the Singer of the World competition, which is taking place this week, of Artes Mundi, the largest art prize in the UK and one of the most significant in the world, and of the Dylan Thomas prize, one of the most prestigious awards for young writers.

And Wales is also at the forefront in leading the world in several initiatives, such as becoming the world's first Fairtrade Nation, developing a Wales for Africa programme, and introducing the Well-being of future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. And since devolution, we have developed relations with countries and regions such as Ireland and Brittany, where we have clear affinities, all of which have meant developing productive international working relationships and creating opportunities to share best practice. Post Brexit, we’ll be looking to develop new relationships where it makes sense to do so, and I'm also glad that Joyce Watson drew attention to the vibrant work and engagement led by Joyce in particular in terms of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians group and association—and we had a great conference here in Cardiff, which Joyce hosted, only recently, looking at women's entrepreneurship and looking at some really interesting examples here from Wales.

But at the heart of our international and economic strategy, it's about how we provide meaningful support for Welsh companies that want to export their goods and services, internationalise their business, increasing the values of exports, and the number of Welsh companies that export—central pillars of our economic strategy. We've got a comprehensive range of support for existing and would-be exporters that is focused on four key areas: inspiring them to start or grow their exports; transferring the knowledge and skills to build their capabilities to export; helping them to connect with potential customers overseas; and supporting visits to overseas markets. So, we assist companies at every stage of their export journey, and we've helped Welsh companies to win new export orders. And last year, we took more than 170 different companies on trade missions and overseas exhibitions to a diverse range of markets. And this year, our programme includes some familiar destinations: India, China, Japan, for example, as well as less familiar markets such as Singapore, Vietnam, South Korea and Iran. And while Wales exports two thirds of its goods to EU countries, this programme emphasises the importance of maintaining and creating trade links with markets outside of Europe. But we're determined to support Welsh exporters as much as we can in a post-Brexit economy—at the front and centre of any message to companies is the statement that Wales is open for business.

Companies in Wales have already taken action to respond to the challenges of a post-EU economy, and we're working with more and more companies to support them to export. And I want everyone across Wales and the rest of Europe to understand that, for us, departing the EU in no sense means that Wales will turn its back on Europe; we've always been clear that the Welsh Government respects the decision to leave the European Union, but our White Paper, ‘Securing Wales’ Future’, does provide a comprehensive and credible plan for the negotiations as the UK prepares to exit from the EU. Can I also say again how important is David Rees’s chairing of what is now increasingly the external affairs rather than additional legislation Committee—what an important role that is playing here in the Assembly, and is recognised beyond here in the UK and Europe? Of course, Jeremy Miles is a key member of that committee. I think the role will develop, and is developing substantially, as we move forward.

We stand ready to work constructively with the UK Government to secure a deal that protects Welsh businesses, our economy and the future prosperity of Wales. Our young people have not known life outside the European Union, with its free exchange of people and EU-funded programmes. You mentioned Erasmus; in 2015, Erasmus+ in Wales support some 2,600 staff and students in the higher and further education and youth sectors to study, work, volunteer, teach and train in Europe. We must see these opportunities continue after Brexit.

Also, you talked about Wales being a welcoming country, benefitting from inward migration, from many parts of the world, including the EU, and migrants in Wales are making a huge contribution to delivering our vital public services and working in our key economic sectors, welcoming thousands of students from all over the world to study here and strengthening our world-class university offering.

I think, looking ahead, we need to see that we still need to recruit from both the EU and around the world for jobs where there is a clear need to do so because of a shortage. We want to make those who are already here continue to play their part in making Wales the successful, outward-looking nation that it is. I’m glad you’ve drawn attention again to the outward-looking, welcoming work that’s been done by the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee on refugees, and we will be debating that again shortly.

So, finally I want to mention the fact that, over the past 10 years as a Government we’ve supported and encouraged tens of thousands of people in Wales to get involved and contribute to international development through our Wales for Africa programme. More children are now going to school, thousands of women have been empowered through skills training and some of the poorest families are healthier thanks to the extensive training Welsh health workers have offered as part of that.

In conclusion, Brexit and globalisation present both challenges and opportunities for Wales. Working together across the political spectrum with a wide range of partners in Wales, the UK and internationally, we can maximise our footprint across the world and help Wales to become a more prosperous, globally responsible nation.