Newport NATO Summit
Argus column in June:
The value to Newport of the NATO summit must not be exaggerated in the way the Ryder Cup was over-hyped.
But it is a unique world event that will shape Newport’s image. Jessica Morden and I want the influential visitors to witness the best of life here. We plan to ensure that the favourable publicity is not hi-jacked by other cities.
The Newport summit comes as a turbulent point in European history. Decisions taken here could have profound consequences for world peace. Protests are legitimate and necessary. All views should be ventilated. That’s the Newport tradition.
The venue was chosen to show the best of Wales and the UK. The most powerful leaders of the Western world will be our guests. We must greet them with respect and courtesy. Newport earned international goodwill as the splendid venue for the meeting of Europe’s foreign ministers in 2008.
In September we can further enhance our good name worldwide.
Oral Question:
Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): The Newport NATO summit is likely to be an event of great political significance. What work is the Secretary of State doing in her Department to ensure that the important issues of international development are prominent on the agenda?
Justine Greening: The hon. Gentleman has raised a pertinent question. Over recent years, we have really understood just how stability in countries is critical for development to take place. If we look at the millennium development goals, we can see that none has been achieved by countries in conflict. It is why we increasingly work with not only the Foreign Office but the Ministry of Defence in helping to have programmes that can give us the best prospect of stability.
Written Question:
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made since the NATO Bucharest summit in April 2008 in inviting Ukraine to join NATO; and whether this issue is on the agenda for the NATO summit in Newport in 2014.
Mr Lidington: Since the 2008 Bucharest summit communiqué, NATO has continued its engagement with Ukraine through a wide range of initiatives. The most significant of these were the 1997 Charter on a Distinctive Partnership, the NATO-Ukraine Commission (NUC) and the Annual National Plan, which was established following the 2008 Bucharest summit specifically to support Ukraine's reform efforts. These initiatives continue to operate into the present. However, in February 2010 President Yankovych announced that Ukraine would not pursue NATO membership, favouring 'non-bloc' status instead.
Oral Question:
Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): What discussions he has had with the First Minister on increasing tourism opportunities in Newport in the light of the NATO summit in Celtic Manor in 2014.
The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr David Jones): Hosting the NATO summit in Newport later this year allows us to showcase Wales on a global stage, and I—and the First Minister, I am sure—will do everything possible to ensure that Wales capitalises on the tourism opportunities it should bring.
Paul Flynn: The delegates will be guests in what is probably the best hotel in Britain, the Celtic Manor. Will they have the chance to visit the other major attractions of Newport—the Roman remains at Caerleon, the magnificent transporter bridge and the splendid Tredegar house—so that they can have a rich and unforgettable experience in Newport?
Mr Jones: I agree entirely with the hon. Gentleman that Newport—and, indeed, the whole of south-east Wales—has a huge amount to offer. As I have said, I believe that the NATO summit will do a massive amount to showcase that part of Wales to the whole world.
"We must greet them with respect and courtesy."
Surely we must greet everyone with respect and courtesy, not only those whom we feel might be 'influential'?
Posted by: K | July 12, 2014 at 10:46 AM