2. Will the Deputy Minister provide an update on recent priorities for the international relations work of the Welsh Government? OQ55861

We have just published international relations action plans, which set out the short and medium-term priorities for delivering on the international strategy. We're focusing on key initiatives to showcase Wales and demonstrate that we're an outward-facing and globally responsible nation.

Thank you, Deputy Minister, and can I wish you well with these new aspects of your portfolio? Now, last week, the First Minister set out the Welsh Government's strategy for Wales's place in the world and the important relationships that we're seeking to deliver for the future. Since that time, we've seen two significant events: first, the unsavoury events surrounding the outgoing President of the United States, who continues to bring disgrace to that great office that he will soon have to vacate. Despite this, however, I hope the Welsh Government is working to support a smooth transition of power, and I welcome the First Minister's letters to both President Biden, and, especially, Vice President Kamala Harris, congratulating them on their victory. But, secondly, and much closer to home, the utterly chaotic scenes at the heart of the UK Tory Government over the last week, culminating in COVID spreading around the PM, and ending with his inflammatory comments about devolution—comments on which, by the way, the Welsh Tories have been virtually silent.

So, Deputy Minister, at this critical time, do you agree with me that the behaviours on display in and around Downing Street, just like in the USA, demean Government and are a total distraction from the important issues that need to be resolved in the coming days and weeks in order to help Wales and the wider UK family of nations to face the post-Brexit future with confidence?

Thank you, Dawn Bowden, for raising those very important questions. And, of course, the peaceful transfer of power is a critical element to any democracy, and a smooth transition is even more critical, given the times we're in and the need for the incoming administration to prepare and meet the challenge of coronavirus. Of course, it has been widely recognised and supported that our First Minister recently wrote to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden, and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris. And I do echo these congratulations—I'm sure we all do—and particularly the fact that the US has the first female Vice President, who will also be the first Asian-American and first African-American Vice President. That's a huge result, which has raised great hope, particularly amongst American people, but across the world. But I think the fact that they stood, the President and Vice-President-elect, on a platform of fighting for equality, tackling racism and also tackling climate change and fighting coronavirus so, so strongly echoes what Wales holds dear, and I, of course, foresee that our relationship with the USA will be a prosperous one. 

But, on your second part of your question, I'm afraid I'm filled with much less optimism, because our focus, and the focus of the UK Government, must be on these incredibly difficult times we're in. In Wales, we're focused as ever on the health and well-being of the nation. We won't be distracted from that, and neither should the UK Government allow itself to be distracted. But the news overnight of Boris Johnson's remarks on devolution, the points that have been echoed in this Chamber this afternoon, really show the lack of engagement on EU transition particularly, but also engagement on how we are working together as four nations to tackle the coronavirus; it does make us more concerned than ever. Chaos in Westminster worsening, I would say, post Cummings, when we need collaboration, we need respect for Wales, the Senedd, and the powers that we're exercising here to keep Wales safe.