“Wales must take every opportunity to work with other nations and regions” following agreements with Catalonia and Basque Country
"Rhaid i Gymru fanteisio ar bob cyfle i weithio gyda chenhedloedd a rhanbarthau eraill" yn dilyn cytundebau gyda Chatalwnia a Gwlad y Basg
Wales will benefit from strengthened partnerships with Catalonia and the Basque Country, as the First Minister signs agreements with two of Spain's most economically advanced regions.
The agreements, known as Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), commit to working together in areas including technology, renewable energy, trade, investment, language and culture.
The First Minister signed a new MOU alongside President of Catalonia, M. H. Salvador Illa, in Barcelona yesterday (Wednesday 7th). Wales has a relationship with Catalonia going back to 2001, when Rhodri Morgan was First Minister.
Today the First Minister will renew Wales’ relationship with the Basque Country, signing an MOU with the region’s Lehendakari, Imanol Pradales. The Welsh Government first formalised its relationship with the Basque Country by signing an MOU in 2018.
As well as meeting government ministers this week, the First Minister will meet industry and business leaders, including visiting Barcelona’s Supercomputing Centre, Catalonia’s leading business organisation Foment del Treball, and renewable energy group Haizea Wind in Bilbao.
First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan, said:
“As a smaller nation, relationships with other nations and regions of a similar size are extremely valuable. Like Catalonia and the Basque Country, Wales is flourishing in advanced industries with huge economic potential, such as AI, cyber security and renewable energy. We have plenty to share and learn from each other, to help grow our respective economies, as well as strengthening our unique languages and cultures.
“The agreements we’ve signed this week give us a strong platform to strengthen cooperation in areas where Wales, Catalonia and the Basque Country share long‑term ambitions for the future. Wales gains from being an outward-looking nation and we must take every opportunity to work with other nations and regions for the benefit of our respective economies.”
Notes to editors
Image: First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan, in Barcelona on 7th January 2026, following the signing of the MOU with Catalonia.
Background
A Memorandum of Understanding is a formal agreement establishing intent to collaborate. It provides a framework for ongoing engagement at ministerial and official level.
Wales - Catalonia MOU
The MOU will support collaboration across a broad range of shared priorities, including:
- Equality, gender, human rights, and community engagement
- Language and cultural promotion and exchange
- Sustainable and responsible tourism
- Innovation, with a focus on semiconductors, cyber security and artificial intelligence
- Sustainable development, including climate neutrality and renewable energy
- Education, with particular emphasis on promoting exchanges between young people
There is a four-year Action Plan to support the MOU. The Action Plan prioritises social progress, including cooperation on languages, cultural exchange and joint engagement in multilateral organisations. It also emphasises innovation, with collaboration on technology, AI, cybersecurity and research - alongside joint work on compound semiconductors.
Looking ahead, it promotes sustainable development, climate neutrality, vocational education exchange and expanded trade cooperation between Catalonia and Wales.
Wales – Basque Country MOU
Wales and the Basque Country have connections based on industrial heritage and longstanding links at governmental and institutional level. There are clear economic, learning, health, and cultural opportunities for Wales from joint co-operation.
The renewed Wales - Basque Country MoU will provide a framework for collaboration across a wide range of sectors, including:
- Sustainable mobility and transport
- Renewable energy and climate change
- Technology and innovation
- The agri-food industry
- Education
- Fiscal strategy and policy, including tax administration and budget management
- Social policy
- Health
- Culture and language