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Revision as of 03:14, 8 May 2023
This article is part of a series within the Politics of the United Kingdom on the |
Politics of Wales |
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Under the terms of Welsh devolution in the 20th and 21st centuries, law-making powers covering a wide range of domestic policy areas have been devolved to the Welsh government. Responsibility for other policy areas is retained by the Government of the United Kingdom. These are known as reserved matters and include the conduct of foreign policy, declarations of war and the making of international treaties. Wales, as a country and major economic unit, nevertheless conducts international relations with many other countries, parliaments, regions and supra-national bodies such as the European Union.
The objectives of Wales' international relations are the promotion of Wales and Welsh interests abroad, the development of the Welsh economy and the positioning of Wales as a globally-responsible nation. Responsibility for Welsh international relations lies with the First Minister of Wales, as of 2023 Mark Drakeford, who took over the international relations portfolio in 2020. Relations are primarily undertaken through a network of 21 international offices operated by the Welsh Government, with representation in London, Belgium, Canada, China, Ireland, France, Germany, India, Japan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and in five offices across the United States. Additionally the Welsh government has signed agreements or memoranda of understanding with other countries and regions including the Basque Country and the Ōita Prefecture in Japan. This permanent representation is supplemented by overseas visits undertaken by the First Minister, and other officials, often timed to coincide with Saint David's Day, the feast day of the Welsh patron saint, and by an annual focus on a specific nation, "Wales in Germany" in 2021, "Wales in Canada" in 2022 and "Wales in France" in 2023.
International activity
Although international relations is not devolved to Wales and is managed by the UK government, the Welsh government has an international strategy.[1] In 2018, Eluned Morgan, Baroness Morgan of Ely was appointed International relations minister.[2] The First minister of Wales Mark Drakeford has been responsible for international relations since 2020.[3][4] The Senedd also has a small International Relations Team (IRT) which supports the Presiding Officers, Senedd Commissioners and Membersof Senedd in international activities.[5]
In 1999 The Senedd unanimously approved a motion signed by the four party leaders to apply for Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and Wales was formally welcomed into the CPA in a General Assembly meeting in Trinidad later that year.[6]
It has been argued that, with increasing globalisation and the growth of Welsh exports, "a relatively small country such as Wales can now be more assertive" instead of leaving international relations to a centralised state.[7]
Welsh international offices
The Welsh Government's international policy since 2020, "Wales, Europe and the world" includes country relationships with Germany, France, Ireland, the United States and Canada; and regional relationships with the Basque Country in Spain, Brittany in France and Flanders in Belgium.[8] The Welsh government has 21 international offices in 12 countries[7] which include offices in London, Belgium, Canada, China, Ireland, France, Germany, India, Japan, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and five offices across the United States.[9]
International strategy
The International Strategy was set out in January 2020 by the then Minister for International Relations and Welsh Language. The strategy is to last 5 years and includes the following aims:
- Raising the profile of Wales internationally
- Grow the Welsh economy; assist Welsh businesses to increase exports; encourage investment in Wales; create jobs and opportunities in Wales; utilise and develop new technology
- A commitment to sustainability[10][11]
International activity is publicly available with multiple international visits and meetings held annually, with the most (14 ) held in 2019. Meetings in 2019 included meetings between the Llywydd and the Norwegian ambassador and meetings between the deputy presiding officer and the Italian ambassador and another meeting with the Thai ambassador.[12]
St David's Day international visits
The first minister has routinely embarked on diplomatic visits to other countries on Saint David's Day (1 March). During his tenure, Carwyn Jones, made visits to Brussels, Washington D.C., New York, Barcelona and Montreal, between 2011 and 2018. His successor, Mark Drakeford has used the day for sole visits to Brussels, (and Paris in 2019), marking an emphasis on European diplomatic visits since he became first minister.[13]
Taith
Wales' started its Taith student exchange programme in September 2022 to replace the Erasmus scheme.[14] Jeremy Miles launched the scheme that is "tailor-made for Wales" which aims over four years for 15,000 students and staff from Wales to travel abroad and for 10,000 to work or study in Wales.[15]
Trade
Following Brexit, the UK government has negotiated free trade s with EU, US, Japan, Australia and New Zealand with the Welsh government working to ensure Welsh interests are included.[16]
The Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee advises and hols the Welsh Government to account on matters of economic development, business, skills, international trade, agriculture, fisheries and food.[17]
The Trade policy advisory group that advises the Welsh government on trade matters and post-Brexit negotiations.[18] It is made up of individuals from businesses with expertise in exporting and importing goods and services.[19]
European relations
The Welsh government has an international office in Brussels which focuses mainly on European Union matters and 5 other offices across Europe.[20] Mark Drakeford has placed a greater emphasis on European diplomatic visits with visits to Brussels in 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023 on St David's Day.[13]
In March 2022, First minister of Wales encouraged the CoR-UK Contact Group to ensure closer ties between sub-sovereign governments as a means of ensuring connections between the UK and the EU.[21]
On 21 March 2023, EU Ambassador Pedro Serrano made his first visit to Wales. He visited Cardiff jointly with the ambassadors of Slovenia, Slovakia and the High Commissioner of Cyprus.[22]
Germany
Germany has been a significant export location for Wales over a prolonged period. As of 2018, Welsh exports of goods were worth £3.3bn a year.[23] In 2021, Germany was the top export destination for Wales.[24]
As of 2018, almost 90 German companies were identified in Wales. [23] A 2016 study showed that 12% of overseas visitors to Wales came from Germany, behind only Australia at 13% and the USA at 15%.
In 2018, with the UK's exit from the European Union imminent, the Welsh government opened an office in Berlin and another in Dusseldorf.[23]
First minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford announced a year of activity between Wales and Germany, touted as "Wales in Germany 2021". Activity began with a virtual meeting between the First minister and the German Ambassador to the UK, Herr Andreas Michaelis on 11 January 2021.[25]
France
Approximately 80 French businesses are based in Wales which employ around 10,000 people. Welsh exports to France totalled a worth of £1.8bn in 2020 and France is the second largest export destination for Wales after Germnay.[26]
The first minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford visited Paris on 16–18 March 2023 to launch the year of 'Wales in France. Drakeford hoped that 2023 would be a "year-long celebration of cultural, business and sporting events".[27][28] The First Minister lead a delegation of Welsh organisations, meeting UNESCO in their headquarters in Paris.[26]
Basque country
The Basque Country is a priority partner region in Welsh Government's International Strategy and in July 2018, a memorandum of understanding was signed. On St David's Day, 2021, Welsh Government supported 10 businesses from Wales for a virtual trade mission with the Basque Country.[29]
The First minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford visited the Basque Country in March 2023 with discussions about the renewable energy sector, economic development and the Basque language as well as giving a speech at the Metropolis of the Future conference about work on healthy ageing and future generations in Wales.
First Minister Mark Drakeford stated, "Wales and the Basque Country have enjoyed a close relationship over many years, working and learning from each other on language development. The visit offers an opportunity to highlight that Wales remains a European country.
“We will continue to build and strengthen our relationships across Europe to create a stronger, fairer and greener country for people living and working all across Wales, for businesses and our partners.[30]
Flanders
The Government of Flanders and the Flemish Parliament are in regular contact with the Welsh Government and Senedd with collaboration mainly centred around health, culture, tourism and international relations.[31]
Brittany
During a visit to France in March 2023, a Welsh delegation led by First minister Mark Drakeford met with officials from Brittany to mark ties .[26]
North America
USA
Members of the United States Congress have established the Friends of Wales Caucus, promoting cultural and economic ties between the USA and Wales.[32][33]
In October 2022, seven Welsh businesses went to the USA as part of a Welsh trade mission which was led by the Welsh government.[34] In 2023, minister for the economy Vaughan Gething visted the West coast of the USA with the aim of improving the economic links between Wales and the USA and promoting Wales' technology and creative industries.[35]
Canada
The Welsh government designated 2022 as the year of "Wales in Canada" which aimed to promote Wales in Canada.[36][37]
Quebec
The Welsh Government and the Government of Quebec set up a funding scheme aimed to support organisations in both Wales and Quebec in Canada to promote co-operation. Particular emphasis was given to green recovery, economy, science, innovation, art and culture will be prioritised.[38] Discussions on a Wales-Québec began after the Welsh office in Montréal was opened in 2018. The included increased partnership between Wales and Québec in the following:
1. Trade & supply chains
2. Research & Innovation
3. Arts & Culture
4. Language policy
5. Sharing knowledge and expertise
The Welsh Minister for International Relations and Welsh Language signed the Declaration of Intent in Montréal during her Canada visit in 2020.[39]
Asia
Qatar
In September 2022, Welsh Government rejects some calls to close the Welsh Qatar office due to concerns about human rights. The Welsh Government said that it hoped to engage with countries with differing human rights to Wales, to influence change there.[40]
Japan
On 14 December 2022, Japan's UK Ambassador, Hayashi Hajime and the First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford hosted a reception at the Japanese Embassy in London to mark 50 years of Japanese-Welsh economic relations.[41]
Through the Welsh Government's International Strategy, the Welsh government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Oita Prefectural Government of Japan, to strengthen relationships including economic exchange; arts & culture; sport; academia; tourism; food & drink.[42]
Africa
The Wales and Africa programme operated by the Welsh government aims to support people in Wales to help tackle poverty in Africa.[43]
The International Learning Opportunities programme (ILO) is a programme for experienced leaders and managers in Wales to spend 8 weeks in Lesotho, Namibia, Somaliland or Uganda.[44]
The Wales and Africa grants scheme is a grant scheme for community groups and organisations in Wales that work in Sub Saharan Africa.[45]
Hub Cymru Africa is an organisation that aims to support Wales and Africa Health Links Network, the Sub-Saharan Advisory Panel and Fair Trade Wales. It is based at the Welsh Centre for International Affairs.[46]
The Size of Wales is an organisation which aims to sustain an area of African tropical forest of a similar size to Wales. The organisation is supported by the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) and the Welsh government.[47][48][dubious ]
Sport
For the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the Welsh Government said that it aimed to market Wales to the World by emphasising Wales as an open, progressive country, desirable for business and tourism. The Welsh Government launched a world-wide marketing campaign including a campaign aimed at USA and Europe.[49]
The Welsh Government was set to spend £1.8m to promote Wales' participation in the World Cup. These were set to include a festival of creativity and culture, a concert in North America and a Football Museum for Wales.[50]
First minister, Mark Drakeford and other Welsh Labour ministers travelled to Qatar for the football world cup during which he would aim to "promote inclusivity" as well as "respect for human rights" during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[51]
Nato 2014 summit
The NATO 2014 Wales summit was held at Celtic Manor Resort in Newport. Leaders, including president of the USA, Barack Obama were greeted by the First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones. The First minister said, "The largest gathering of international leaders ever to take place in the UK is starting in our home country here and now,"
"The Nato Wales Summit is an exciting and historic moment for our country and I am confident we will shine on the world stage."[52]
"Nation of Sanctuary"
First Minister Drakeford described Wales as a "Nation of Sanctuary" in his speech to the CoR-UK Contact Group and that "hope for the future is still possible" for Ukranians coming to Wales as it has been for Afghans also.[21]
Welsh Centre for International Affairs
The Council for Education in World Citizenship (CEWC) was an organisation which aimed to educate young people on international problems without bias from 1942 onwards. The organisation worked with the United Nations Association Wales and from 1973, worked with the Welsh Centre for International Affairs. The organisation was based at the Temple of Peace. In 2014, the three organisations merged into the Welsh Centre for International Affairs.[53][54]
See also
References
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