EU referendum: British-Irish council discuss fallout
Four parliaments should agree Brexit deal, says Carwyn Jones
(35 minutes later)
Wales' first minister is meeting his counterparts from Scotland and Northern Ireland for a special summit to discuss the fallout from the EU referendum.
Any future deal on Brexit should be ratified by all four UK parliaments, First Minister Carwyn Jones has said.
Carwyn Jones is being joined by Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny and government representatives from Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
He spoke after a meeting of the British Irish Council in Cardiff to discuss the UK's vote to leave the European Union.
The British-Irish Council is taking place in Cardiff.
Mr Jones said Brexit was the biggest challenge the administrations gathered at the council have faced collectively.
Earlier Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns said schemes replacing Welsh EU aid should not repeat "failing" projects.
"Any future deal the UK agrees should be ratified by all four parliaments in order to get greatest buy-in," he said.
Replacements for EU funding are on the agenda for the council, as well as when exactly the UK would leave the union.
Mr Jones was joined at the "extraordinary summit" by his counterparts from Scotland and Northern Ireland, Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny and government representatives from Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
The first minister and his Scottish counterpart Nicola Sturgeon have already held talks with Prime Minister Theresa May in the wake of the vote to leave the EU.
The council usually meets annually, last convening in Glasgow in June.
Before the meeting Mr Jones said: "I called for and convened this summit so leaders and ministers from across Britain and Ireland have the opportunity to discuss the fundamental changes that will be brought about by the result of the EU referendum.
Addressing a news conference after the meeting, on Friday, Mr Jones said that the devolved governments should need to give permission before the formal process of Brexit begins.
"The council plays a unique and important role in developing positive relationships between its members.
He said there would be "fundamental changes" as a result of the EU referendum, adding: "During this tumultuous time, it is more important than ever to maintain the strength of this relationship and work together to map out a successful way forward."
"During this tumultuous time, it is more important than ever to maintain the strength of this relationship and work together to map out a successful way forward."
He said the session had been "hugely helpful" in identifying challenges, with the council resolving to work together to find solutions.
Other possible discussion topics include the Irish Taoiseach Mr Kenny's suggestion Brexit could lead to a referendum on Irish re-unification.
Writing in the Guardian newspaper on Friday, Mr Jones urged business leaders to "keep your nerve and keeping investing in Wales".
"Unemployment is at a 10-year low and our employment rate is outperforming all other parts of the UK, while Wales' economy boasts a strong international reputation as a place to invest," he said.
The Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns previously said the current system of economic aid from the European Union was not sustainable.
Speaking on BBC's Good Morning Wales programme on Friday, he suggested whatever should replace it should be "far more innovative."
"Let's remember that European aid was meant to be, back in 1999 when we were negotiating the objective one programme at the time, a once in a lifetime opportunity," he said.
"We're already in our third round of European funded programmes.
"That tells us, all these years down the road, that that money hasn't had the impact it was promised at the time.
"I think it is right and fair to take a step back, to look at what projects worked the best, what projects absolutely had an income in improving outcomes such as skills levels, in creating jobs in that entrepreneurial society we all want to be part of," he said.
Mr Cairns added: "Let's see if we can get to a programme that will be far more innovative in delivering on what we want to see rather than repeating arguably what some would have seen of some projects that clearly were failing."
Under current EU funding programmes, due to run between 2014 and 2020, Wales receives £1.8bn in structural funds.
