Working together to maximise benefits of NATO Summit in Wales
The UK and Welsh governments have emphasised the importance of working together to deliver a successful NATO Summit.
Secretary of State David Jones MP and First Minister Carwyn Jones AM meet Welsh crew members aboard HMS Dragon
During a joint tour of the Royal Navy’s destroyer HMS Dragon, which is in Cardiff to receive the Freedom of the City for its ship’s company, the Secretary of State for Wales David Jones MP and First Minister Carwyn Jones AM highlighted the visit’s timeliness in raising awareness of the fast-approaching NATO Summit in September.
Secretary of State for Wales David Jones MP said:
“The 2014 NATO Summit will see the largest gathering of world leaders ever in the UK. It offers a chance in a lifetime for Wales to shine on the international stage. Welsh businesses and academic institutions play to the strengths of manufacturing, innovation, life sciences, cyber technologies and aerospace and are pushing into new markets every year.
“There is tremendous potential in Wales for investment and business, tourism and study. The summit will bring us unprecedented levels of international attention to promote this potential, which we need to maximise.”
First Minister Carwyn Jones AM said:
“The NATO Summit in Newport will be the largest international event ever staged in Wales. Wales will be featured in the world’s media for several days which will give it global exposure that it has rarely had before. Our governments are determined to make the most of this global media spotlight.
“We are working with the UK Government on giving the summit a distinctive Welsh flavour and to target the hundreds of journalists who will come to Wales in September.”
During today’s visit to the Type-45 Destroyer, one of the Royal Navy’s most modern warships, the Ministers were escorted on a tour by Captain Rex Cox and met crew members from Wales.
The First Minister added:
“HMS Dragon’s visit to Cardiff reinforces the strong links between the people of Wales and our Armed Forces. Welsh ports regularly welcome naval ships. HMS Pembroke is currently visiting Pembroke, a town which owes its existence to the Royal Navy, to help mark its bicentenary.”
The NATO Summit, which will run from 4-5 September 2014 at Celtic Manor Resort, is being organised by the UK Government on behalf of NATO.