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17 February 2023
Re: Correspondence on 7 December 2022
Dear Mark
Thank you for your letter dated 7 December 2022. Following consideration of the information provided, we would like to ask further questions. Specifically, we request further clarification in relation to overseas engagement and Memorandums of Understanding, as set out below.
Overseas engagement
We welcome your commitment to provide us with monthly reports of all diplomatic visits and ministerial visits overseas, starting from December 2022.
We received the first email containing a list of meetings, covering December 2022 and January 2023 on 6 February 2023. We note that the list does not include some visits, nor the level of detail, publicised on Welsh Government social media accounts.
A list of examples is Annexed to this letter. We request that all Ministerial meetings, with detail of what was discussed, are included in future and look forward to receiving the same for February in the coming weeks. The Committee would also welcome the inclusion of international events held by Welsh Government-sponsored bodies that are directly linked to the international strategy’s delivery.
Memorandums of Understanding
We welcome your commitment to include an annual list of Memorandums of Understanding as part of your annual reporting on the activities of the Welsh Government’s overseas offices.
However, we note that you agreed to publish a list in response to requests from Members of this Committee during evidence in June 2022.[1]
The Committee believes a dedicated webpage would greatly assist Members, stakeholders and the public with an interest in the Welsh Government’s international relations. This would also achieve a greater degree of transparency than is achieved via the provision of a one-off annual list which provides a snapshot of the position at a certain moment in time, as recognised by the First Minister.[2]
As such, we would like to reiterate our original request for the Welsh Government to publish and maintain a list of Memorandums of Understanding on its website.
We note the accessible Welsh Government webpage for intergovernmental concordats, memorandums and other agreements between UK government, Welsh Government, Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive. We ask that a similar format for their international equivalents be considered.[3]
We would be grateful for a response to the issues raised in this letter by 9 March 2023.
Yours sincerely
Delyth Jewell
MS
Committee Chair
Annex: Examples of Ministerial visits publicised on social media December 2022 – January 2023
Ministers visits
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INWARD VISITS |
To MINISTERS |
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December 2022 |
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07 December |
The First Minister met the Agent General of Québec. |
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07 December |
(Welsh Government tweet:) Bienvenue au Pays de Galles @LineRivardDG. Today @PrifWeinidog welcomed the Agent-General of @QuebecUK to Cardiff. They spoke about the close relationship between Wales & Quebec, our languages, the strengths throughout our sectors & the importance of international collaboration🤝 |
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13 December |
The First Minister met the High Commissioner of Namibia. |
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January 2023 |
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2 January |
The First Minister met the Deputy High Commissioner of India at the reception in Cardiff for the Welsh hockey team before their journey to India to participate in the World Cup |
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25 January |
The First Minister met the Head of the Catalan Delegation to the UK and Ireland. |
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25 January |
(Welsh Government tweet:) A warm welcome to Francesc Claret, head of @Catalonia_UK, as he met @PrifWeinidog today. They discussed opportunities to share learning on #UBI and language, as well as youth exchange between Wales and Catalonia |
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OUTWARD VISITS |
By MINISTERS |
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December 2022 |
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09-18 December |
Minister for Climate Change visit to Québec - attendance at COP15 and separate meetings with the Québec Minister of the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change and the Québec Minister for International Relations. |
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12 December |
(Welsh Government tweet:) Sunday at #COP15 started meeting representatives of the Wampis Nation – a government of Indigenous peoples in the Peruvian Amazon. Then @JulieJamesMS spoke at the 7th Summit showing how smaller countries can influence negotiations on global biodiversity |
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13 December |
(Welsh Government tweet:) Quebec is an important partner for Wales, with growing cooperation across many sectors. Climate Change Minister @JulieJamesMS met with @M_Biron during #COP15 to discuss further strengthening the Wales-Quebec partnership |
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13 December |
(Welsh Government tweet:) Monday in Montreal was another busy one for Climate Change Minister @JulieJamesMS. From Carmarthen to Catalonia and from Monmouthshire to Montreal, we covered topics including flooding prevention to forest management. There’s lot to learn from each other! |
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14 December |
First Minister visit to London - meeting with EU Heads of Mission (EU Ambassador to the UK and all EU27 Ambassadors), US Ambassador and Japanese Ambassador. |
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14 December |
(Welsh Government tweet:) This morning @PrifWeinidog met with @PedroSerranoEU in London. Discussions included Wales' engagement with European regions and in key networks, like @Atlantic_Arc & @VI_Brussels |
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14 December |
(Welsh Government tweet:) Afterwards, @PrifWeinidog addressed EU Heads of Mission @EUdelegationUK in London. He talked about our shared values, common challenges, and the importance of working together. We are committed to strengthening our partnerships with EU states, regions and networks |
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14 December |
(Welsh Government tweet:) 2022 marks 50 years of Japanese investment into Wales @PrifWeinidog joined Ambassador Hayashi to celebrate this historic milestone @JAPANinUK, and to look ahead to future opportunities to strengthen the relationship between our nations |
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14 December |
(Welsh Government re-tweet of Polish ambassador:) Great meeting of EU Heads of Mission with First Minister of Wales @MarkDrakeford, during which we discussed economic and cultural ties. Grateful to Wales for showing openness towards EU citizens and businesses. I hope the First Minister can visit Poland soon! |
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14 December |
(Welsh Government re-tweet of German ambassador:) Excellent meeting with First Minister of Wales @MarkDrakeford on the close economic & cultural links to the European Union EU. We are grateful for the openness of the Welsh Government towards EU citizens & business, but also towards students through the Taith program. |
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14 December |
(Welsh Government tweet:) To round off his visit to London, @PrifWeinidog met with @USAmbUK Jane Hartley. Talks focused on our work to promote Wales in the USA and the significant contribution American investment makes to the Welsh economy |
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16 December |
(Welsh Government tweet:) It was busy yesterday at #COP15 where @JulieJamesMS🍁Hosted a great meeting with @ScotGovNetZero and @ParksCanada 🍁Talked trees with Christian Messier of @CEF_CFR 🍁Took questions at the Rio Pavillion 🍁Discussed the power of smaller regions working together with @CharetteB |