There's something about deals in the UK. They just tend turn into national obsessions. Don't get me wrong, I love a good meal deal. But one year into the Brexit negotiations, the country seems trapped in an endless 'Deal or no Deal' episode.
Continuity Bill
To limit the damage to Wales, Welsh Government is battling to gain powers over devolved matters currently wielded at EU level. LaCroix quoted Carwyn Jones on the necessity of a 'Continuity Bill' for Wales and Euractiv reported that the bill had been passed by the National Assembly, but both outlets also predicted a constitutional crisis if Westminster decided to ignore the new legislation.
Memorandum of Understanding
In this context, regional partnerships are all the more important. Carwyn Jones visited Brittany in January to renew the Memorandum of Understanding with the President of the Regional Council, Loïg Chesnais Girard.
In an official statement, the First Minister said: "Wales’ relationship with Brittany is built on long-standing cultural, linguistic and trading links and the former First Minister first signed a MoU with Brittany in 2004. The changing political context in Wales, with the UK about to leave the EU, means that it is the right time to re-commit to our relationship with Brittany."
On the Welsh Government's website one can also read: "The Memorandum of Understanding reflects the importance of continuing collaboration across Europe to address global challenges, such as cyber security, in the face of the changing political landscape as the UK prepares to leave the EU. While in Brittany, the First Minister will visit the Cyber Pole of Excellence, which focuses on training, research and supporting SMEs working in the cyber industry."
Following the visit, Agence Bretagne Presse published an official release from the spokesperson for Brittany, which gives a bit more detail about the ins and outs of the renewed partnership. Key sectors include not only cyber security, but also sustainable growth and marine energy, as well as tourism and the sailing and food industries. Two other areas of cooperation will see their projects intensify: education and training (through students exchanges) and culture (especially around Celtic culture and the promotion of the Welsh and Breton language).
Concretely, the 5-year agreement implies an initial 30-month action plan to be reviewed mid-way through the partnership deal. In addition, Welsh and Breton representatives are to meet once a year.
'Allez les Bleus' Passport
Another deal that has aroused passion and spilled a lot of ink, is that to be agreed between the Home Office and French manufacturer Gemalto, which has been selected to make the new post-Brexit blue passport.
While the Western Mail reports the facts (above), Le Monde exposes the irony of the situation and denounces the Brexiters' inconsistence. The author, Philippe Bernard, has an interesting take on what this 'made-in-France storm' says about future UK-EU relationships.
He argues that Brexiters were wrong to make people think that the EU imposes passport colours on its member countries; and to make them believe that Brexit would set the UK free from the 'tyranny' of European calls for tender - as there is every reason to believe that it will continue after 2020. The UK, as a great exporter of services, will have to deal with it if it wants to keep access to the single market. The only solution to avoid competitive bidding, according to Philippe Bernard, would be to get the iconic passports made by the State itself - like is the case in France.