Diolch, acting Presiding Officer. I'm very proud to move this motion today. The need for Wales to project itself internationally, and to develop and grow its international links, has never been greater. That's why I'm delighted to open today’s debate on the Welsh Government’s new international strategy. I'm pleased that we have received statements from the Minister, following the publication of the international strategy, but I believe that this is actually the first opportunity we've had to debate that in the Senedd and for Members, perhaps, to provide their vision for Wales in the world.

Firstly, it's important to welcome the strategy from the Welsh Government, which outlines its vision for a more global Wales, and how Wales moves forward in an ever-growing global marketplace—it's critical to achieving an ambition of driving the Welsh economy forward. Our report is the culmination of almost a year’s worth of work, looking at Wales's approach to international relations after Brexit. And our thanks go to all those who contributed to our work. And I wish to put on record again my thanks to the team, and the clerking staff, and the research staff, within the committee, who undertook tremendous work to actually help us produce that report.

Now, in our report, we make a total of 10 recommendations, all of which address specific areas relating to what was, at the time of publication of the report, the draft international strategy. I will focus my comments in three broad areas: the priorities and delivery of the strategy; co-ordination of international activities across Government; and how the priority relationships and the overseas offices relate to each other after Brexit.

For the first of these areas, I am pleased that the Minister agreed with us regarding the need to include a stronger vision statement in the final strategy. Furthermore, the priorities identified in the strategy should provide Government and stakeholders with a basis for greater collaboration and engagement on the international stage. In our view, where the strategy falls down is in terms of delivery. Frustratingly, the strategy contains only three measurable targets. To remind Members what these targets are: (1) to raise Wales's profile internationally by ensuring 500,000 connections internationally over the next five years—interesting how we'll measure that and how you identify some of these connections; (2) to grow the contribution made by exports to the economy by 5 per cent, though we're not sure over what period of time that covers; and (3) to plant 15 million trees in Uganda by 2025.

Now, these targets, in and of themselves, are reasonable and are within the context of the strategy. However, we have broader concerns about the limited number of targets, and the implications that this may have on delivery of the strategy. Whilst we understand the argument that the strategy document may not be the most appropriate place for the inclusion of a suite of targets, we are clear that the strategy should be supported by a delivery plan that we, as a committee, are able to scrutinise. It is very disappointing, therefore, that our calls appear to be falling by the wayside for this.

And furthermore, the Minister's written response to our report claims to accept recommendations 5 and 6, which call for the publication of a detailed suite of measurable targets and delivery plans, and then states in the narrative of the strategy that it is not the intention to publish further detailed plans over and above those in the strategy. The Government are, of course, entitled to take this view however disappointing it may be, but to attempt to claim that, in so doing, it is accepting our recommendations, does question the credibility of some of the statements.

The second area of interest relates to the co-ordination of the Welsh Government’s activities and how they relate to the new strategy. Previously in this Chamber, I have welcomed the creation of a Cabinet post with responsibility for international relations. And such a post should help to increase the visibility of international relations issues across Government—a task made all the more important as we forge a new future outside the European Union.

In this report and in our previous report on Wales's future relationship with Europe and the world, we highlighted the importance of effective co-ordination with other key portfolios, particularly the economy, environment and education portfolios. To that end, we reiterated our view that the Minister for international relations should establish a formal mechanism for the co-ordination of the Welsh Government’s international relations work through the creation of a Cabinet sub-committee. The Government's response to these recommendations are a cause of disappointment. Despite the importance attached to the need for a formal mechanism for co-ordination, as identified in two committee reports, the Minister has decided not to implement any of them in any meaningful sense, and I would urge her to reconsider this position.

The final area relates to the priority relationships identified in the strategy and the future of the Welsh Government’s overseas offices. Now, we warmly welcome the commitment made in the final strategy to build our international links with a number of countries and sub-state nations and regions across the world. This work should be given renewed importance in light of the UK’s exit from the EU and the new relationship that will come into effect at the end of this year, whatever that may be, because we are unclear at this point. How the priority relationships dovetail with the work of the overseas offices will be key to future success. I welcome the review that the Minister outlines in her response. It would be helpful if the Minister could give more detail on the content of this review and the timescales for its completion.

In terms of the two priority country relationships, which are Ireland and Germany, the strategy rightly notes the close economic and social links that currently exist. Furthermore, the strategy highlights that German and Irish nationals make up two of our largest international communities. It is vital, therefore, that we take this opportunity, and every opportunity, to reiterate our message of support for these and other communities living in Wales from across the EU. I am sure that the Minister and other Members will join me in their support. 

Looking ahead, it would be useful to us if the Minister could keep us updated of progress as regards both the discussions on any future specific Ireland-UK relationship and the negotiations on continued involvement in EU programmes at the end of the transition period. There is still concern that these may be lost if an agreement cannot be reached on the future relationship and a free trade agreement, and they boost Wales's international standing. Personally, I believe that they should never have been associated with a trade agreement. They are separate, they are programmes that help us develop our nation and should not have been involved in the negotiating position. 

As a committee, we have noted the value added to areas of devolved responsibility, such as education, research and economic development, that have been gained by Wales’s involvement in a whole host of EU programmes. I am pleased that the political declaration and the negotiating mandates still leave it open for a negotiated settlement in these areas. However, I think it will require continued lobbying on behalf of the Welsh Government to ensure that Welsh needs are reflected in the negotiations between the UK and the EU. We've only just heard this afternoon in the question to the now Minister for European transition the concerns expressed about the fact that we haven't yet seen that voice reflected in the mandates.

Now, as we move ahead with future trading agreements and discussions on how future relationships with the EU and other nations will develop, we must do all we can to strengthen the Welsh voice, both during the negotiations and afterwards, once those relationships are established, and I know that Government shares those views. 

Acting Presiding Officer, I commend this report to the Assembly. I hope they will support it, and I look forward to hearing Members' contributions and the Minister's response this afternoon.