Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:56 pm on 14 January 2020.
I'm tempted to continue with that discussion, having had a discussion with my son as to whether to buy the latest version of FIFA or not in order to get Aaron Ramsay in a Juventus shirt this last week. We decided to stick with the old model, but perhaps I'll now need to reconsider.
I just want to speak very briefly as chair of the cross-party Wales international group, and to extend an invitation to all Members, as I usually do, to become involved with the activities of that cross-party group. I want to welcome the fact that we do now have this international strategy, and to make an appeal for that strategy—although it's only just emerging and the ink is yet to dry on it—to be a flexible strategy for ensuing years. It's a milestone that we now have a strategy in place. And I pay tribute again to Steffan Lewis, almost exactly a year since he left us, who was so enthusiastic for having a Minister for international relations and for seeing such a strategy in place, and we do now have that strategy in place. It's so crucial that we as a small nation do look outwards towards the world and make the most of the opportunities that exist out there in order to reach our potential as a nation.
Politically, there is disagreement in this Senedd as to how we deliver that potential in terms of a constitutional context. I firmly believe that it's as an independent nation in our own right that we would deliver that potential. Others see opportunities, as those set out in this document, to seek new opportunities elsewhere. But, we must be willing. When operating internationally, one can't be isolationist. You have to respond to what's happening in other parts of the world and see how Wales can fit into patterns and to influence others simultaneously.
Just a brief word in terms of the diaspora: I'm pleased to see a commitment now to work specifically with diaspora groups already in existence. There is mention of GlobalWelsh in the document and the Wales week in London. I could add to that—while declaring an interest, my father has been chair of the organisation in the past—Wales International, which for over 70 years has been making links between Wales and the Welsh diaspora, the Cymry ar wasgar as they used to be called. We do need to make the most of those networks. And I will quote from the Wales International website the words of Rhys Meirion, the president of that organisation:
'With pride in our Welsh identity and heritage, in a world which has become so small, we can be an international nation as we all, both the Welsh in Wales and the Welsh in all corners of the globe, have an important contribution to offer to each other, and to Wales.'
So, there is a great opportunity for us. I'm pleased we have this strategy in place, but can I seek that assurance that this will be a dynamic document and strategy as we move forward?