Welsh Government engages internationally across the breadth of Government, in education, health, business, environment, trade and investment, tourism and marketing to name a few. Part of my new role will be to focus this engagement by creating a new strategy which will articulate our international agenda.

The Welsh Language Commissioner provides Working Welsh—Iaith Gwaith resources to help bodies advertise when Welsh services are available, and produces guidance documents. The National Centre for Learning Welsh provides tailored courses for bodies to improve their Welsh language provisions, and the mentrau iaith assist bodies to promote and mainstream the Welsh language.    

Governments’ decisions on where to locate consulates are a decision for them, but we are very keen to encourage other nations to follow the lead of Ireland and to establish consulates here in Wales. We will, of course. continue to work closely with embassies and high commissions irrespective of whether they have a consulate in Wales.

In 2018-19, the Welsh Government provide £4.2 million via the grant scheme to promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language to core delivery partners. We will be reviewing the scheme in 2019-20.

Wales has a long history of close relationships with Catalonia and we want this to continue. However, this particular matter is one for Spain and the Spanish courts to resolve.

International priorities will be shaped through a new international strategy. We are at the start of that process, the focus will be on economic benefit and influence for Wales.