The First Ministers of Wales and Scotland met today to sign the
Cytundeb Caerdydd - Cardiff Agreement, with plans for future
collaboration between the Welsh and Scottish Governments.
The document, agreed by and , sets out a shared purpose and
vision to work together on matters of common interest to both
nations.
The agreement focuses on the following areas of
cooperation: tackling child poverty and improving outcomes
for children and families; addressing cost of living pressures
and improving living standards; promoting sustainable, inclusive
economic growth; fiscal arrangements; tackling climate change and
strengthening resilience; international engagement, including
with the EU; and language, culture, media and sport.
First Minister of Wales, , said:
Today's agreement sets out areas of shared interest on
which we as First Ministers and our respective governments will
collaborate in the coming years, to strengthen democracy
and improve outcomes for the people of Wales and Scotland.
While Wales and Scotland are on different constitutional
journeys, we both share a commitment to strong, accountable
devolved government, and to a relationship between the
governments of these islands built on trust and mutual respect.
We share a belief that our people should decide their own future,
and that the Union isn't working fairly for either nation. We
will use every opportunity available to us to press the case for
greater fairness for Wales and Scotland and for powers
over our constitutional futures.
, the First Minister of
Scotland, said:
The signing of the Agreement is an important moment in the
history of devolution. It will improve the way the Scottish and
Welsh Governments work together on our shared priorities so we
can deliver better outcomes for the people we serve.
The Agreement reflects a relationship built on trust and mutual
respect. Distinct approaches will still be necessary, but we
share common goals and a commitment to learning from each other.
The new era of co-operation represented by the signing of this
Agreement be underpinned by a shared belief that the people of
Scotland and Wales are best placed to decide their own
constitutional future and should not be held back by a UK system
that does not work for our nations.
