6. Statement by the Minister for Economy: Wales and Europe — Managing a new relationship

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:02 pm on 1 February 2022.

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Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour 5:02, 1 February 2022

'Yes' is the very clear answer. It's a key priority for the Welsh Government in terms of our continuing relationships with the European Union. We've made this point very clearly in our conversations with the UK Government around this. It's a vision shared by other parts of the UK as well. There's an awful lot to be gained from being able to do this not just with continental Europe, but also, of course, with our partners on the island of Ireland. If we are excluded from taking part, then it will be Welsh jobs, businesses and research that will lose out. There's significance resource available not just in financial terms, but the opportunity to share learning and insight that really should help the future of Wales's research and innovation, and, of course, what that means from a business and jobs point of view. And I'd be more than happy to keep the Chamber and Members updated on the progress of those talks to ensure that Wales really can continue to take part successfully in the Horizon Europe programme.