Alliance Calls For Urgent Publication Of NI International Relations Strategy

Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw has called for the urgent publication of a new International Relations Strategy for Northern Ireland, highlighting the absence of a clear framework for the Executive Office's international engagement.

Bradshaw pointed to the recent meeting between the First and Deputy First Ministers and the new Chinese Consul General to Northern Ireland, as well as the upcoming St. Patrick's Day events in Washington D.C., as examples of the need for defined objectives.

"These all undoubtedly offer real opportunities to promote knowledge and economic exchange with the world's largest economies, but this work must be informed by clear strategic objectives," said Bradshaw.

"The old International Relations Strategy dates back from before even the Scottish Independence referendum, never mind Brexit, the war in Ukraine, and a range of other events which have since rendered it completely out of date," she added. Bradshaw argued that the lack of a clear strategy leaves both the public and legislators in the dark regarding the Executive's international goals and activities.

"As a result, both ourselves as legislators and the public at large are left in the dark as to what the Executive Office is trying to achieve through its international relations work, with no clear objectives nor any clear framework of actions," she stated.

Bradshaw called for the publication of a draft strategy ahead of St. Patrick's Day, allowing for proper scrutiny and public engagement.

"A year on from restoration, we have to ask why there is still no new International Relations Strategy, nor the complementary Europe Strategy that we were promised," she said. "There is no reason that a draft strategy with clear objectives cannot be published in advance of St Patrick's Day, enabling us to effectively assess and scrutinise the work of the First and deputy First Minister."