3. Statement by the First Minister: Delivering the International Strategy

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:44 pm on 11 November 2020.

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Photo of Mick Antoniw Mick Antoniw Labour 3:44, 11 November 2020

First Minister, firstly, can I commend the work undertaken by Eluned Morgan in developing our international strategy and the Welsh Government generally for recognising the fundamental importance of international engagement and social, cultural, economic relationships, and also in supporting the Wales for Africa programme? Those of us who have been engaged with it have seen the significant impact on the lives of many people in Uganda. And I think also about those who've engaged in a programme from Wales. The charity PONT, as you know based in Pontypridd, has played a significant role in the development of that programme, and I particularly wanted to put on record my support for the fantastic work that they do. 

Can I also say that, if the last four years in the USA have shown us anything, it is how important these relations are and how important are our international institutions—the European Union, the United Nations, the World Health Organization and the international environmental networks, such as the Paris agreement and pact? The election of Joe Biden as the next President of the United States will, I think, renew some of our hopes and beliefs that it is through international engagement and a breaking down of international barriers that we will resolve some of the world's economic, environmental and social problems for the benefit of all citizens of the world.

Now, leaving the EU and the doubts over a trade deal do present, as you've said, many economic challenges. So, we therefore have to use every lever at our disposal. I wonder if you could update us on the current status of our links with the European Union and how these might develop. Engagement with the European Committee of the Regions is vitally beneficial to Wales and I know that there are negotiations on continuing those post our exit from the EU. Our membership of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is another. And I wonder if you could perhaps update us on the current status of the Wales Office in the European Union. This is a vital facility—it's an embassy for Wales in a relationship that, although set back, nevertheless presents many future opportunities for Wales.

Will you also be leading a delegation to the US when COVID permits, to build on our profile there, but also to ensure that we maximise our engagement with American businesses, such as General Electric in Cincinnati—of course, an important business and industry in my constituency—but also to engage with the new US Government to raise the profile of Wales and also our areas of concern about a future trade deal?

I wonder if you will also consider how to boost support, when COVID allows, for our renowned cultural ambassadors—our choirs, dance and folk ensembles and bands, such as the world champion Cory Band—when they travel the world to develop a comprehensive package of support that links in with culture, political and economic agendas.

And then, finally, on the political front internationally, it is the intention in the new year, to unveil a plaque commemorating the heroic deeds of Welsh Captain Archibald Dickson, who rescued thousands of men, women and children from the fascist blockade of Alicante during the Spanish civil war. Now, Captain Dickson is commemorated there as a hero—in Alicante—but as yet is largely unrecognised in Wales. So, it is intended to hold a joint civic event in Wales, with Spain and Wales. In Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, there is now a street named after Welsh journalist Gareth Jones, and I wonder if you'll consider ways of recognising these two important events, which are really a microcosm of some of the important contributions that Wales has made to the world and an indication of how much more we can do in the future. Diolch, First Minister.