First Minister is set to renew Wales’
longstanding relationship with the Silesia region of Poland.
It comes more than 20 years after a Memorandum of Understanding
was signed between the two governments based on a shared history
of industrial heritage.
The First Minister will sign a renewed agreement and Action Plan
for Co-Operation, focusing on life sciences, cyber, science and
innovation, and education.
The agreements between the Welsh Government and Silesian
Voivodeship also focus on tourism, including sharing best
practice around UNESCO World Heritage Sites based on former
industrial landscapes, and green transformation of
post-industrial landscapes, with particular focus on coal tip
safety.
First Minister said: “This is a
unique opportunity to learn from another country that shares a
similar history to us and ambitions when it comes to transforming
post-industrial landscapes and coal tip safety.
“We both have a history of mining and heavy industry and now a
commitment to regeneration, land reclamation and sustainable
development.
“I’ve seen myself how Katowice city centre has been transformed
from coal mines when I was last here in 2005 to business and
cultural zones, residential areas and sports arenas.”
The First Minister added: “The Memorandum of
Understanding signed by in 2002 was one of the very
first following devolution in Wales.
“It is important we build on this and strengthening our global
relationships, celebrating different cultures and embracing
internationalism.
“We want to give Wales the strongest possible presence on the
world stage, demonstrating Wales as a confident and
outward-looking country.
“Learning from how others have tackled similar issues,
particularly when it comes to the impact of coal tips on our
landscape, will benefit not only our economy and culture, but
also future generations too.”
Since devolution, the Welsh Government has signed Memoranda of
Understanding (MoU) with a number of regions including Brittany,
the Basque Country, Flanders and most recently Baden Württemberg.
Marshal of the Silesian region, Jakub Chestowski
said: “We are delighted to host the First Minister and
welcome him to Silesia to renew and refresh our longstanding
relationship.
“It is important to strengthen ties with Wales and formalise
government to government relationships where there are shared
interests.
“It has been an honour to host him and shows what can be achieved
when we join forces to tackle similar problems.”
