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International relations of Wales

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The objectives of the international relations of Wales 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 currently lies with the First Minister of Wales,[1] but the responsibility can also be delegated.[2] 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.

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.

International activity

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The conduct of foreign policy is not devolved to Wales and is managed by the UK government under the devolution settlement. Nonetheless, the Welsh government has an international strategy.[3] Eluned Morgan, Baroness Morgan of Ely was appointed international relations minister in 2018,[2] with responsibility for the international relations portfolio moving to the first minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, in 2020,[4][5] and remaining with the First Minister under Vaughan Gething.[1] The Senedd also has a small International Relations Team (IRT) which supports the Presiding Officers, Senedd Commissioners and Members of the Senedd in international activities.[6]

In 1999 the Senedd approved a motion signed by the four party leaders to apply for Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and Wales formally joined the CPA at a General Assembly meeting in Trinidad later that year.[7]

Former First Minister of Wales Rhodri Morgan with U.S. Ambassador Robert Tuttle in Cardiff (2005)

In 2022, Laura McAllister, Professor of Public Policy at the University of Cardiff, argued that increasing globalization and the growth of Welsh exports would enable "a relatively small country such as Wales [to] now be more assertive" in the international arena.[8]

Welsh international offices

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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.[9] The Welsh government has 21 international offices in 12 countries[8] which include offices in London, Belgium, Canada, China, Ireland, France, Germany, India, Japan, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and five offices across the United States.[10]

International strategy

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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; utilize and develop new technology
  • A commitment to sustainability[11][12]

St David's Day international visits

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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

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Wales' started its Taith student exchange programme in September 2022 to replace the Erasmus scheme.[14] The scheme 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]

Sport

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Wales uses rugby and rugby events to promote itself overseas.[16]

The Welsh Government used Wales' participation in the 2022 FIFA World Cup to promote Welsh culture, and established a Football Museum for Wales.[17]

European relations

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The Welsh government has an international office in Brussels which focuses mainly on European Union matters and 5 other offices across Europe.[18] 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, the First Minister 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.[19]

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.[20]

Germany

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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.[21] In 2021, Germany was the top export destination for Wales.[22]

As of 2018, almost 90 German companies were identified in Wales.[21] 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.[21]

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.[23]

France

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Approximately 80 French businesses are based in Wales which employ around 10,000 people. Welsh exports to France totaled a worth of £1.8bn in 2020 and France is the second largest export destination for Wales after Germany.[24]

The first minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford visited Paris on 16–18 March 2023 to launch the year of Wales in France.[25][26]

Basque country

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The Basque Country is a priority partner region in Welsh Government's International Strategy and in July 2018, a memorandum of understanding was signed.[27] The First minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford visited the Basque Country in March 2023.[28]

Flanders

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The Government of Flanders and the Flemish Parliament are in regular contact with the Welsh Government and Senedd with collaboration mainly centered around health, culture, tourism and international relations.[29]

Brittany

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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 .[24]

North America

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USA

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Members of the United States Congress have established the Friends of Wales Caucus, promoting cultural and economic ties between the USA and Wales.[30][31]

Canada

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The Welsh government designated 2022 as the year of "Wales in Canada" which aimed to promote Wales in Canada.[32][33]

Quebec

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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.[34] 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.[35]

Asia

[edit]

Qatar

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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.[36]

Japan

[edit]

In 1972 Takiron became the first Japanese company to make a significant investment in Wales. As of 2022, over 60 Japanese companies had a presence in Wales. Wales exports a variety of agricultural products to Japan, and cultural ties have been developed through rugby.[37]

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.[38]

Africa

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The Wales and Africa programme operated by the Welsh government aims to support people in Wales to help tackle poverty in Africa.[39]

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.[40]

The Wales and Africa grants scheme is a grant scheme for community groups and organisations in Wales that work in Sub Saharan Africa.[41]

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.[42]

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.[43][44][dubious – discuss]

Welsh Centre for International Affairs

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Main article: 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 from the 1940s onwards. The Welsh organisation (CEWC-Cymru) 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.[45][46]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Rt Hon Vaughan Gething MS: First Minister of Wales | GOV.WALES". www.gov.wales. Archived from the original on 13 April 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b Reeves, Rosanne; Aaron, Jane (4 June 2020), "Gwyneth Vaughan, Eluned Morgan and the Emancipation of Welsh Women", Women's Writing from Wales before 1914, Routledge, pp. 128–144, doi:10.4324/9780429330865-9, ISBN 978-0-429-33086-5, retrieved 12 April 2023
  3. ^ "Guidance on devolution". GOV.UK. 28 September 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  4. ^ "Rt Hon Mark Drakeford MS: First Minister of Wales". GOV.WALES. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  5. ^ Powney, Mark (12 October 2020). "First Minister Takes on Responsibilities for International Trade". Business News Wales. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  6. ^ "International Relations". senedd.wales. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  7. ^ "CPA – Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Wales Branch". senedd.wales. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  8. ^ a b McAllister, Laura (2 December 2022). "How Wales can assert itself in the UK and beyond". The World Today. Chatham House. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  9. ^ "Wales, Europe and the world: the Welsh Government's International Strategy". Senedd Research.
  10. ^ "International offices". GOV.WALES. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  11. ^ "Welsh Government International Office Remits" (PDF).
  12. ^ "International strategy [HTML]". GOV.WALES. 14 January 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  13. ^ a b "First Minister's Brussels trip reflects shift in international strategy". Nation.Cymru. 2 March 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  14. ^ "Wales places thousands on new Erasmus programme while Scots scheme yet to begin". HeraldScotland. 25 October 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  15. ^ "'An outward-looking nation': Wales unveils Brexit-busting international exchange programme to replace Erasmus+". Nation.Cymru. 2 February 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  16. ^ Sands, Katie (14 November 2022). "The video being used to market Wales to the world during the World Cup". WalesOnline. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  17. ^ "Welsh Government to spend £1.8m promoting Wales' participation at the World Cup in Qatar". ITVNews.
  18. ^ "International offices". GOV.WALES. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  19. ^ "Focus on the Welsh model of restoring lost connections to the EU". cor.europa.eu. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  20. ^ "EU Ambassadors make joint visit to Wales | EEAS Website". www.eeas.europa.eu. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  21. ^ a b c Williamson, David (9 September 2018). "The scale of the special relationship between Wales and Germany". WalesOnline. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  22. ^ "What does Wales export globally – and who is buying?". BBC News. 23 March 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  23. ^ "'Wales in Germany 2021' is a celebration of our historic ties that won't falter because of Brexit. First Minister Mark Drakeford". GOV.WALES. 11 January 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  24. ^ a b Hayward, Will (16 March 2023). "Mark Drakeford visits France to meet companies investing in Wales". WalesOnline. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  25. ^ "Written Statement: Ministerial Overseas Visit to Paris (30 March 2023)". GOV.WALES. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  26. ^ "Wales First Minister hails centuries-old relations in France, laments Brexit-fueled 'fissures in UK'". France 24. 16 March 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  27. ^ "Welsh virtual trade delegation seek closer ties with Basque Country". GOV.WALES. 27 February 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  28. ^ Salter, Derry (28 March 2023). "Mark Drakeford to visit Basque Country to 'strengthen economic ties'". WalesOnline. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  29. ^ "Relations with Wales". flandersintheuk.be.
  30. ^ "Congressional Friends of Wales Caucus Welcomes First Minister Carwyn Jones | Congressman Morgan Griffith". Morgangriffith.house.gov. 6 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
  31. ^ "Welsh First Minister visits Washington and New York City". GOV.UK. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  32. ^ "Wales in Canada 2022". Wales. 11 March 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  33. ^ "Wales in Canada; A Year to Remember". Welsh Government. 11 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  34. ^ "Funding: Wales-Quebec joint call for proposals 2022". GOV.WALES. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  35. ^ "Action Plan Priority Regional Relationships and Networks 2020–2025" (PDF).
  36. ^ Wightwick, Abbie (30 September 2022). "Welsh Gov rejects calls to shut Qatar office despite torture allegations". WalesOnline. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  37. ^ "Marking 50 Years of Japanese Investment in Wales". Business News Wales. 14 December 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  38. ^ "Initiative to encourage economic co-operation with Oita, Japan [HTML]". GOV.WALES. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  39. ^ "Wales and Africa". GOV.WALES. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  40. ^ "International Learning Opportunities programme [HTML]". GOV.WALES. Archived from the original on 13 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  41. ^ "Welsh Government Wales and Africa Grant Scheme". WCVA. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  42. ^ "Hub Cymru Africa | Supporting Global Solidarity". Hub Cymru Africa. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  43. ^ "Support for 'Size of Wales' rainforest campaign". BBC News. 22 May 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  44. ^ Kelsey, Chris (17 September 2015). "Size of Wales wants your money to help double area of rainforest protected". WalesOnline. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  45. ^ "Council for Education in World Citizenship (CEWC)". Peoples Collection Wales. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  46. ^ "Membership Brochure CEWC (pre-1971)". Peoples Collection Wales. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
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