Misplaced Pages

Revision as of 12:47, 15 April 2023

This article possibly contains original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations. Statements consisting only of original research should be removed. (April 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

This article is part of a series within the Politics of the United Kingdom on the
Politics of Wales
The CrownThe Monarch Charles III Heir Apparent William, Prince of Wales Prerogative Royal family Succession Privy Council King-in-Parliament Lord-lieutenant Llwynywermod England and Wales Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542 Principality of Wales Welsh republicanism
GovernmentWelsh Government Eluned Morgan government (list) First Minister (list) Rt Hon Eluned Morgan MS (L) Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies MS (L) Cabinet Civil Service Welsh Budget Taxation Directorates Sponsored bodies State-owned enterprises Crown Buildings, Cathays Park Counsel General-designate – Elisabeth Jones Chief Whip and Trefnydd – Jane Hutt MS (L) Permanent Secretary International relations Welsh Government international offices
LegislatureSenedd Sixth Senedd Llywydd (Presiding Officer) Elin Jones MS (PC) Leader of the Opposition Darren Millar MS (C) Shadow Cabinet Welsh law Primary ( Acts Measures list ) Secondary ( Statutory instruments list ) Members (MSs) Current members Elections (by-elections) Constituencies and electoral regions First Minister's Questions Senedd Commissioner for Standards Devolution referendum (2011 referendum) Government of Wales Act 1998 2006 Act 2014 Act 2017 Act Senedd estate, Cardiff Bay (Senedd building Tŷ Hywel Pierhead Building)
Wales and the United KingdomHM Government Starmer ministry Prime Minister Rt Hon Keir Starmer MP (L) Secretary of State for Wales Rt Hon Jo Stevens MP (L) UK Parliament 59th Parliament House of Commons Wales Office Under-Secretary Welsh Grand Committee Welsh Affairs Select Committee Interministerial Standing Committee Government of Wales Act 2006 Elections Constituencies Current Westminster MPs Barnett formula Devolution Devolved matters Reserved matters Legislative consent motion Unionism Independence Politics of the United Kingdom
Law and justice Welsh law English law Wales-only laws Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542 Wales and Berwick Act 1746 Capital of Wales: Cardiff Supreme Court of the United Kingdom Courts of England and Wales President of Welsh Tribunals Police forces Police and crime commissioner (list)
Local administrationHistory Subdivisions of Wales Historic counties (list) Preserved counties (list) Principal areas (list) Former districts list pre-1973 list 1974-1996 Communities (list) Local government Principal councils (leader list) Corporate Joint Committees Cities (list) Cardiff (Mayor / Council) Swansea (Mayor / Council) Newport (Mayor / Council) Wrexham (Mayor / Council) Community council (list) Communities with city status Bangor St Asaph St Davids Local twinning see also: Regional terms and Regional economy
Elections and referendumsSenedd elections 1999 2003 2007 2011 2016 2021 Next United Kingdom Parliament elections 1801 co-option 1802 1806 1807 1812 1818 1820 1826 1830 1831 1832 1835 1837 1841 1847 1852 1857 1859 1865 1868 1874 1880 1885 1886 1892 1895 1900 1906 1910 (Jan) 1910 (Dec) 1918 1922 1923 1924 1929 1931 1935 1945 1950 1951 1955 1959 1964 1966 1970 1974 (Feb) 1974 (Oct) 1979 1983 1987 1992 1997 2001 2005 2010 2015 2017 2019 2024 European Parliament elections (1979–2020) 1979 1984 1989 1994 1999 2004 2009 2014 2019 Local elections 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1999 2004 2008 2012 2017 2022 Police and crime commissioner elections 2012 2016 2021 Referendums 1975 1979 1997 2011 2011 2016 1915–16 Anglican border polls 2004 Ceredigion mayoral Senedd constituencies and electoral regions UK parliamentary constituencies in Wales Political parties Represented in the Senedd (Labour Conservatives Plaid Cymru Liberal Democrats) Think tanks
Category Wales portal Other countries
v t e

Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom (UK), with international relations remaining a UK government matter, not devolved to Wales. The Welsh Government however, works to promote Welsh interest abroad with 21 international offices worldwide. The First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford currently responsible for international relations since taking on the role from Eluned Morgan in 2020.

The Welsh government has signed agreements or memoranda of understanding with other countries and regions including the Basque Country and Ōita Prefecture and for the last three years organised a year of diplomatic relations with a specific country; "Wales in Germany" in 2021; "Wales in Canada" in 2022; "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. In 2018, Eluned Morgan, Baroness Morgan of Ely was appointed International relations minister. The First minister of Wales Mark Drakeford has been responsible for international relations since 2020.

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.

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

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

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.

St David's Day

The first minister of Wales' decision to spend Saint David's Day in Brussels showed a marked change in the international strategy of the Welsh government.

Former first minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones made the following diplomatic visits for St David's Day:

• 2011: Brussels
• 2012: Washington DC and New York
• 2013: Barcelona
• 2014: New York
• 2015: New York
• 2017: Washington DC
• 2018: Montreal

Mark Drakeford has placed a greater emphasis on European diplomatic visits with more visits to Brussels:

• 2019: Brussels and Paris
• 2020: Brussels
• 2022: Brussels
• 2023: Brussels

Taith

Wales' started its Taith student exchange programme in September 2022 to replace the Erasmus scheme. Jeremy Miles launched the scheme that is "tailor-made for Wales which aism over four years for 15,000 students and staff from Wales to travel abroad and for 10,000 to work or study in Wales.

Tourism

A 2016 study showed that 15% of overseas visitors to Wales came from the USA, followed by Asutralia at 13% and Germany at 12%.

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.

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.

The Trade policy advisory group that advises the Welsh government on trade matters and post-Brexit negotiations. It is made up of individuals from businesses with expertise in exporting and importing goods and services.

The top 10 export destinations for Wales in 2022 were as follows:

1. USA
2. Ireland
3. Germany
4. France
5. Netherlands
6. Belgium
7. China
8. Canada
9. Spain
10. Turkey

Top 10 export destinations for 2021 were:

1. Germany
2. USA
3. Ireland
4. France
5. Belgium
6. Netherlands
7. China
8. Spain
9. Turkey
10. Canada

European relations

The Welsh government has an international office in Brussels which focuses mainly on European Union matters and 5 other offices across Europe. 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.

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.

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.

Germany

Germany has been a significant export location for Wales over a prolonged period. In 1905 304,737 tons of coal was exported to Germany from ports in Wales. As of 2018, the top exports to Germany were:

1. Transport equipment
2. Electric machinery
3. Road vehicles
4. Iron and steel
5. Power-generating machinery and equipment

In 2021, Germany was the top export destination for Wales.

As of 2018, almost 90 German companies were identified in Wales and approximately 680 German students were studying in Wales. In 2017, an estimated 13,000 people in Wales were born in Germany. A 2016 study showed that 12% of overseas visitors to Wales came from Germany, behind only Australia at 13% and the USA at 15%. The Welsh government holds an office in Berlin and Dusseldorf and Welsh exports were worth £3.3bn in the 12 months up to June 2018.

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.

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.

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". The First Minister lead a delegation of Welsh organisations, meeting UNESCO in their headquarters in Paris.

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.

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.

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.

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 .

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.

In October 2022, seven Welsh businesses went to the USA as part of a Welsh trade mission which was led by the Welsh government. 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.

Canada

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

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Africa

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

"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.

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.

See also

• Foreign relations of the United Kingdom

References

1. "Guidance on devolution". GOV.UK. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
2. 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. "Rt Hon Mark Drakeford MS: First Minister of Wales". GOV.WALES. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
4. Powney, Mark (12 October 2020). "First Minister Takes on Responsibilities for International Trade". Business News Wales. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
5. ^ McAllister, Laura (2 December 2022). "How Wales can assert itself in the UK and beyond". The World Today. Chatham House. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
6. "Wales, Europe and the world: the Welsh Government's International Strategy". Senedd Research.
7. "International offices". GOV.WALES. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
8. "Welsh Government International Office Remits" (PDF).
9. "International strategy [HTML]". GOV.WALES. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
10. "International Activity". senedd.wales. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
11. ^ "First Minister's Brussels trip reflects shift in international strategy". Nation.Cymru. 2 March 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
12. "Wales places thousands on new Erasmus programme while Scots scheme yet to begin". HeraldScotland. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
13. "'An outward-looking nation': Wales unveils Brexit-busting international exchange programme to replace Erasmus+". Nation.Cymru. 2 February 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
14. ^ Williamson, David (9 September 2018). "The scale of the special relationship between Wales and Germany". WalesOnline. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
15. "International trade policy". GOV.WALES. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
16. "Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee". senedd.wales. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
17. "Trade Policy Advisory Group". GOV.WALES. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
18. "Membership: Trade Policy Advisory Group". GOV.WALES. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
19. ^ "What does Wales export globally – and who is buying?". BBC News. 23 March 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
20. "International offices". GOV.WALES. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
21. ^ "Focus on the Welsh model of restoring lost connections to the EU". cor.europa.eu. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
22. "EU Ambassadors make joint visit to Wales | EEAS Website". www.eeas.europa.eu. Retrieved 13 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. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
24. ^ 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. 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. 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. "Welsh firms visit the USA to boost trade and export links". GOV.WALES. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
33. "Written Statement: Ministerial Overseas Visit to the USA (4 April 2023)". GOV.WALES. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
34. "Wales in Canada 2022". Wales. 11 March 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
35. "Wales in Canada; A Year to Remember". Welsh Government. 11 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
36. "Funding: Wales-Quebec joint call for proposals 2022". GOV.WALES. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
37. "Action Plan Priority Regional Relationships and Networks 2020–2025" (PDF).
38. Wightwick, Abbie (30 September 2022). "Welsh Gov rejects calls to shut Qatar office despite torture allegations". WalesOnline. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
39. "Marking 50 Years of Japanese Investment in Wales". Business News Wales. 14 December 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
40. "Initiative to encourage economic co-operation with Oita, Japan [HTML]". GOV.WALES. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
41. "Wales and Africa". GOV.WALES. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
42. "International Learning Opportunities programme [HTML]". GOV.WALES. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
43. "Welsh Government Wales and Africa Grant Scheme". WCVA. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
44. "Hub Cymru Africa | Supporting Global Solidarity". Hub Cymru Africa. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
45. "Support for 'Size of Wales' rainforest campaign". BBC News. 22 May 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
46. Kelsey, Chris (17 September 2015). "Size of Wales wants your money to help double area of rainforest protected". WalesOnline. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
47. Sands, Katie (14 November 2022). "The video being used to market Wales to the world during the World Cup". WalesOnline. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
48. "Welsh Government to spend £1.8m promoting Wales' participation at the World Cup in Qatar". ITVNews.
49. "World Cup 2022: Mark Drakeford to 'shine a light' on Qatar rights". BBC News. 29 October 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
50. "World comes to Wales for 2014 Nato Summit in Newport". BBC News. 4 September 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
51. "Council for Education in World Citizenship (CEWC)". Peoples Collection Wales. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
52. "Membership Brochure CEWC (pre-1971)". Peoples Collection Wales. Retrieved 13 April 2023.

v t e Wales articles
List of topics
History	Timeline Bibliography Prehistory Roman Era Anglo-Welsh Wars Early Middle Ages Kingdom of Gwynedd Kingdom of Powys Deheubarth Medieval Welsh law Norman invasion Edwardian conquest Late Middle Ages Statute of Rhuddlan Glyndŵr rebellion Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542 Colonies
Geography	Biodiversity Fauna Flora Climate Geology Islands Lakes Mountains and hills Protected areas National parks AONBs Rivers Wales–England border Waterfalls
Politics	Government Politics Devolution Elections First Minister Government Local government History Cities Mayors Local rulers Nationalism Political parties Republicanism Secretary of State Senedd Unionism Wales Office Law Counsel General Courts Modern Welsh law Police forces British Armed Forces
Economy	Agriculture Banking and finance Coal mining Companies Forestry Housing and construction Power stations Slate quarrying Tourism Transport
Society	Culture Art Castles Education Eisteddfod Gorsedd Cymru Literature in Welsh / in English Media Music Museums Scheduled monuments Sports Theatre Demographics Languages Languages Welsh Welsh English British Sign Language People (list) Actors Welsh Americans Architects Artists Women Inventors Musicians Poets Royalty Scientists Women Writers in Welsh Women Health Healthcare Healthcare service Boards Religion Christianity Anglicanism Catholicism Mormonism Presbyterianism Non-Christian belief systems Bahá'ís Buddhism Hinduism Islam Judaism Druidry Sikhism History Saint David Welsh Methodist revival 1904–1905 Welsh revival Welsh Church Act 1914 Symbols Anthem Flags national flag Prince of Wales's feathers Royal Badge Welsh Dragon
Wales portal

• Foreign relations of Wales