Since the programme was established in April 2016, tens of thousands of families have received support to use more Welsh.

Building on the progress Cymraeg for Kids has made over the past three years, a new contract has been awarded to Mudiad Meithrin so they can continue to provide this support and advice.

Minister for International Relations and Welsh Language, Eluned Morgan AM said:

  “I am very pleased to announce the continuation of the Cymraeg for Kids programme. Cymraeg 2050 emphasises the importance of increasing Welsh language transmission rates within the family as well as ensuring a significant increase in the number of children in Welsh-medium education. Cymraeg for Kids has a vital role play in realising these two elements and I am pleased to announce that we will continue to work with Mudiad Meithrin to provide practical support for families across Wales.”

Dr Gwenllian Lansdown Davies, Mudiad Meithrin Chief Executive added:

“Supporting parents, carers and families to transfer or present Welsh to their children is key to the work that will lead to a million Welsh speakers by 2050. It is a privilege for Mudiad Meithrin to be able to continue to deliver an exciting program like Cymraeg for Kids with its appealing activities available free of charge across Wales.”

Dinah Ellis, National Manager, Cymraeg for Kids added:

“Cymraeg for Kids has gone from strength to strength over the past three years and we are delighted to receive confirmation of its continuation. The team of officers across Wales look forward to continuing to offer free sessions, share information with families about Welsh-medium childcare and education as well as offering practical ideas on how to introduce Welsh in the home.”

Welsh ports are the gateway between Ireland and the rest of Europe, with 80% of goods carried in Irish-registered HGVs between the Republic of Ireland and Europe passing through Welsh ports. 

Holyhead is a key entry point – its status as the second busiest roll-on roll-off ferry port in the UK means it provides a vital link in a seamless supply chain for businesses across Wales, the UK and Ireland. 

Earlier this year the head of Stena Line, the company which runs the Port of Holyhead, said he fears significant disruption in the event of a no deal Brexit and claimed it was impossible to plan for such an event. 

The Counsel General yesterday visited Holyhead where he met the Port’s manager, Captain Wyn Parry, who set out some of his concerns about operations in Holyhead if the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal in just 35 days. 

Jeremy Miles said:

“I’ve said it before, but it feels like it needs repeating – there is no way of fully mitigating the effects of a no deal Brexit. 

“Our priority is to ensure we are doing everything within our power to minimise the effect on Welsh communities and businesses. 

“Ports in Wales make a critical contribution to our economy, not least by providing jobs and added value to local communities. Any risk to their operation poses a substantial risk to Wales as a whole. Our ferry ports are particularly vulnerable to the shocks that could arise following a no deal Brexit. 

“Most of the risks relate to border arrangements – to customs and safety checks. These are for the UK government to resolve. But the requirement by the EU for member states, including Ireland, to treat goods from the UK as a third country – with all the additional checks that involves – could cause knock-on delays at Welsh ferry ports, especially Holyhead. 

“I am grateful to Captain Wyn Parry and his team for showing me around the port and explaining to me some of their concerns were we to face a no deal Brexit. 

“It’s clear Holyhead would find it difficult to absorb the effects of any delays caused by additional checks. We are working on solutions to manage traffic disruption from delays at the port and potential sites on Anglesey have been identified and assessed to deal with any overflow on the road network, should delayed traffic not be contained within the confines of the port. 

“All this could be avoided if the Prime Minister listened to and acted on our calls and removes no deal as an option. 

“We’ve long advocated a different approach to Brexit – one built around consensus. This was set out in our White Paper, Securing Wales’ Future, which was agreed jointly with Plaid Cymru 2 years ago. This recognises there are trade-offs, and that involves participation in a customs union and the Single Market. The UK government must now swallow its pride, drop its red lines and provide the certainty the country needs.”

The ambition is to create a new International Strategy for Wales, identifying the priorities, image and messages we should be presenting to the world.

The Strategy will build on the strong links Wales has developed with the rest of the world since devolution and respond to a changing global market – including exploiting the growing market in China and other eastern economies.

Wales’ approach to the world has been defined by our relationship with the EU. The new Strategy will recognise the changing nature of this relationship, acknowledging that Wales will always remain a European country and the importance of sustaining European business and preserving jobs.

As well as strong business links, the strategy will explore our other influential relationships with the rest of the world, including culture, arts and sport.

The Minister for International Relations, Eluned Morgan, said:

“Wales has so much to offer the world. We have a spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation, a skilled and dedicated workforce and excellent links with the rest of the UK and Europe, making us arguably the best place in the UK to invest and start-up a new business.

“Our rich culture and history, breath-taking landscape and reputation for adventure makes us a great place to visit, while our award-winning food and drink, sporting achievements and internationally acclaimed research are thing we should be fiercely proud of. But, are we doing enough to convince the world of this?

“At such an important point in our relationship with the EU and the rest of the world, we are developing a new International Strategy to make sure we are in the best position possible to exploit every opportunity to promote Wales to the world.”

The minister added:

“At such a crucial point in our countries history it feels important to get as much input as possible to help shape a new International Strategy for Wales.

“Government certainly does not have a monopoly on good ideas and we are looking for views from as many people as possible so we can be confident we are sending the right messages and presenting the best image of Wales to the world.”

The minister will today meet for the first time with the Task and Finish Group established to inform the development of the International Strategy. Members have been selected for their knowledge of operating in an international environment and will help to identify priorities for international engagement.

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He will meet with Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin TD and celebrate the connections between the two countries during a St David’s Day reception. The Deputy Minister said:

“We’re as keen as ever to promote and foster Welsh links with Ireland; we have many similarities in terms of our traditions, culture and economies. Wales – Ireland links are more important than ever, which is also evident by Irish Government’s announcement that the Irish Consulate will re-open in Cardiff later this year.”

Lord Elis-Thomas will also meet with the Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland, Niall Gibbons, ahead of a Welsh Government St David’s Day Reception at National Museum Ireland where a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed between National Museum of Ireland and National Museum Wales regarding a new partnership between the two cultural organisations.

Guests at the reception will also have a preview of the Visit Wales’ Year of Discovery marketing campaign which will go-live in Ireland on March 4 on TV and radio on demand and across digital platforms. Visit Wales have also embarked on partnerships with Stena Line and Irish Ferries – which will encourage more Irish visitors to discover Wales.

This year for the first time, Visit Wales have introduced elements of the Irish language into the Year of Discovery marketing campaign, signifying our long and special relationship as nations.

The evening will also celebrate the Welsh language – one of the first cornerstones to connect and bind Wales with Ireland as a Celtic Nation. As part of the UNESCO International Year of Indigenous Languages, The Deputy Minister will also announce a new cultural initiative – Tylwyth (The Clan).

Tylwyth is a project by the National Eisteddfod of Wales, working in partnership with Bangor University’s Pontio, and the Irish, Dublin-based circus performance company, Fidget Feet.  Written by Gwyneth Glyn, Twm Morys and Myrddin ap Dafydd, it is an original contemporary musical circus which brings to life the story of some of the legends of Wales and will be performed at the National Eisteddfod in Llanrwst this August.

Lord Elis-Thomas said:

“When the UK leaves the EU this form of co-operation will become even more important and we look forward to working on long term, innovative partnerships. It is vital that we continue to focus our activities in Ireland, and we will continue to collaborate and work in partnership to ensure that we grow and prosper with the wealth of opportunities that the Wales Ireland relationship has to offer.”

“It is more important than ever that we use state of the art facilities like these to ensure Wales continues to effectively enforce fisheries and marine laws. I’m immensely proud of the whole fleet we now have and look forward to seeing them in action.

“Brexit will present us with a number of challenges, but these vessels put us in fantastic stead to support our fishing industry and improve future sustainability.”

Speaking about the handover of FPV Aegis to the Liberian Government, she said: 

“The Wales for Africa programme has gone from strength to strength in recent years and the handover of FPV Aegis to the Liberian Government is just another example of the fantastic work being carried out.

“This will make a massive difference to the Liberian people and we hope the benefits this gesture makes to their fishing industry will be felt for many generations to come. I’m proud projects like these build relationships between Wales and Africa, at a time when it is more important than ever that we look outwards at how we can support projects abroad.”