Representation in Brussels

In the plenary debate last May, the Government undertook to report back on negotiations with other stakeholders on the future shape of Welsh representation in Brussels.

It is opportune to do so today, at a time when Wales is making its presence felt in a very real and positive way on the ground in Brussels.

Indeed, the First Minister and I have only just this morning returned from Brussels after attending the launch of Wales Week in Brussels 2003.  I will come back to that in a moment, but I do believe that we have been party to the launch also of a new era in Wales' relationship and role in Europe.

It is almost 12 months since the decision taken by WLGA, and on April 10th 2002 the Assembly Government to withdraw from membership of the Wales European Centre (WEC).

The Government made clear at the time both its intention to strengthen its own presence in Brussels, and its desire to work with other Welsh interests to ensure that the overall Welsh representation was enhanced in a spirit of co-operation and collaboration.

There have been extensive discussions since then on the way in which the wide range of Welsh interests should be represented. 

WLGA declared its position fairly early and decided to have its own representation on the ground, preferably co-located with the Assembly Government.

WEC has worked hard to identify its key customers and to restructure itself in light of its changed circumstances.  I am pleased that it has been able to arrive at a structure built on core membership of the WDA, ELWa, the Environment sector and the University sector, with other bodies forming a second tier membership.

So, we have a clear way forward on three core elements of the Welsh presence in Brussels - Government, WEC and WLGA. Recruitment of staff for all three bodies is well underway.

The position of the Presiding Office, on behalf of the wider National Assembly, is determined by the House Committee acting on behalf of all Members, and I am hopeful this matter will be cleared shortly.

Throughout the negotiating process, all three parties - Government, WEC and WLGA - have been keen to maintain a united physical Welsh presence, and discussions have been based on a presumption of co-location within the same building.

The Government made clear its position on this issue at the start, and indicated its desire to make it as easy as possible to maintain that united physical presence.

We have therefore agreed, subject to finalisation of some details, that the  Government will assume responsibility for the cost of rental and utilities of the present building for time being, and make accommodation available to WEC and WLGA.

It would be wrong to pretend that there are no issues concerning the physical condition and facilities of the present building.  It is inappropriate to go into detail in this forum, but I can give an assurance that the Government and WEC are working closely to resolve them in a way which represents best value for money.  They are not issues between Government and WEC, but relate to the physical condition of, and facilities in, the building.

But physical co-location is only one manifestation of a united Welsh presence.

The new arrangements present opportunities to enhance significantly the effectiveness of the Welsh representation in Brussels.

Joint working arrangements on the ground will minimise duplication of effort and resource, and maximise output in terms of influence and profile.

It has been agreed that working arrangements will be governed by agreed protocols which will ensure sharing of information and intelligence, and arrangements for its dissemination.  There will be co-ordination on the ground in Brussels, and in Wales.  We will now be looking to finalise those protocols and clear up outstanding practical issues as soon as possible.

The arrangements will exploit to the full the strengths of each of the occupants of "Ty Cymru" in Brussels, for the overall benefit of Wales.

I began by referring to Wales Week.  Wales Week this year has been a genuine joint collaborative effort between the Government, and WEC, and its members.

No-one would claim that the process of strengthening the Welsh presence in Brussels has been easy.  But what has typified the preparations for Wales Week is the extent to which both sets of officials have worked hard to make it a success.  The degree of commitment, determination - and patience - has been impressive.

Similarly no-one would claim that the process of reconstruction of the Welsh representative presence in Brussels over these last 9 months or so has been easy.  Nor would anyone claim that there don't remain a number of challenges to make it work effectively.

But with the same commitment, determination - and patience - that has been shown thus far, we do have the opportunity to make the Welsh presence in Brussels one of the most effective in the capital.  I am confident that we will succeed.

The European agenda over the next few years is hugely significant and its implications for Wales are enormous.  We in the Government, and our partners throughout Wales - and on the ground in Brussels - have to face up to the challenge.  The new Welsh representation in Brussels will give us the means to do so.