Carwyn Jones, First Minister
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
A meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee (Plenary), chaired by the Prime Minister, was held in Cardiff on Monday 30 January. This was the first time the JMC (P) has been held outside London and I was pleased to welcome colleagues from the UK, Scottish and Northern Ireland administrations to Wales.
The main issue for discussion was, naturally, the UK Exit from the European Union. Our White Paper “Securing Wales’ Future”, which we produced jointly with Plaid Cymru and was published last week, was tabled as a formal document for the discussion. I emphasised the key issues for Wales centred around full and unfettered participation in the Single Market along with a sensibly and flexibly managed migration policy to meet future recruitment needs in Wales.
The JMC also considered emerging international trade options for the United Kingdom in the light of EU exit. I explained Wales’ commitment to international free trade without barriers and our determination to work with business to promote trade and investment wherever in the world opportunities arise. I noted that the Welsh Government works constructively with the UK Government and its agencies around the world and will continue to do so as new trade opportunities come on stream.