What input, if any, did the Welsh Government have into the Windsor Framework?
The Welsh Government welcomes the Windsor Framework as a step towards resolving the difficulties around the Northern Ireland Protocol, and towards a new phase of improved relations between the UK and the EU, both of which are important to Wales. We hope that all governments within the UK can have the chance to consider the full implications of the Framework constructively.
Regrettably, the UK Government did not engage the Welsh Government on the detail of the Framework in advance of the announcement; and has not so far done so in assessing the implications of the Framework for trade flows across the Irish Sea. This remains a concern that we continue to pursue with the UK Government. The Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd represented the Welsh Government at a meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Group on UK-EU relations on 20 March. This formed part of the preparation for the 24 March meeting of the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee that will take decisions on implementing the Framework.