Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:52 pm on 20 March 2019.
I think, when it comes to reserved matters, we have to honour the agreement that we have, and this is an area that is specifically reserved. Foreign affairs is specifically reserved. That’s why, as the Welsh Government, we are treating this motion as we would a backbench Members' debate, and we are granting a free vote to Labour Members.
Now, I’d like to encourage Members in future to ensure that, where we engage with international issues, we keep the focus clearly on those areas in which we can take action and make a real difference. Now, we as a Government will abstain on this motion, but there is nothing to prevent the National Assembly from writing on its own behalf to the European Council.