During a visit to Stuttgart this week, Economy Minister, , and Baden-Württemberg’s
Minister for Economic Affairs, Dr Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut,
signed a joint statement of cooperation to further boost
political, economic, social, and ecological ties.
The joint declaration intends to expand bilateral cooperation
between Wales and Baden-Württemberg in areas including trade and
entrepreneurship, science and research, education and youth,
culture and civil society, as well as environmental and climate
protection.
Welsh Government Minister for the Economy, said: “The signing of a
shared statement with Baden-Württemberg is momentous in cementing
our important relationship with this priority region for Wales.
As one of our largest trading partners, it presents us with an
opportunity to ensure continued, strengthened co-operation.
“Germany is a hugely important collaboration partner for Wales
with an estimated 90 German-owned companies having a presence in
Wales, employing just under 12,000 people. Around 20 of these
organisations are owned by parent companies from
Baden-Württemberg so I very much look forward to the
opportunities that our engagement across areas including trade,
research and education will bring.”
Wales’ First Minister and Prime Minister
Kretschmann agreed to strengthen cooperation in 2022, and today’s
Shared Statement of Cooperation builds on a Memorandum of
Understanding signed by the two countries in 1990.
Minister-President Winfried Kretschmann said: "The United Kingdom
is and will remain a very important partner for
Baden-Württemberg. It is important to overcome the challenges for
business and science after Brexit together.
“In view of the current crises and wars in the world, the EU and
the democratic states must now cooperate more closely, and valued
partners such as Germany and the United Kingdom,
Baden-Württemberg and Wales must move even closer together."
Dr Hoffmeister-Kraut, Minister for Economic Affairs, Labour and
Tourism, said: "I very much welcome the signing of an agreement
on further cooperation between Wales and Baden-Württemberg. Wales
and the United Kingdom are important trade and economic partners
for us.”
In a one-to-one meeting, Minister Dr Hoffmeister-Kraut discussed
innovation with her counterpart in Wales and said:
"Transformation and structural change pose major challenges for
companies in both countries. Minister Gething and I agreed that
innovation is the key to a strong and resilient economy. That is
why we want and need to strengthen the power of innovation
through functioning regional innovation networks and continue to
grow in international alliances with trustworthy partners.”
Economy Minister, added: “Wales is an outward
looking and welcoming nation. We want to have the strongest
possible presence on the world stage and where better to build on
and strengthen our global relationships than Baden-Württemberg.
“We will continue to make the most of the multiple connections
between our governments, organisations, people and culture – and
ensure that our long historical ties continue well into the
future.”
