WALES must take responsibility for its own role in the ongoing talks with the European Union, Gwent's newest AM has said.
Delyth Jewell, who was appointed as new Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales East earlier this month following the death of Steffan Lewis, made the comments following a visit to Brussels with the Assembly's External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee.
Speaking in the Assembly during a debate on Wales' role in Europe post-Brexit, Ms Jewell said: "It's dismaying that, to date, so much diplomacy has been trusted to the UK Government to do on our behalf.
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"Wales needs to keep our voice heard loudly and clearly.
"We can't trust another government to do that for us.
"That is particularly true of a government that is regarded with such bewilderment and horror as Westminster is in Europe at the moment."
South Wales East AM Delyth Jewell
Saying she found the idea of Wales losing influence in Europe "personally devastating", Ms Jewell added: "I cannot stress enough how vital it is that Wales cements and nurtures strong alliances."
She was speaking as AMs debated a report calling for the UK and Welsh Governments to maintain relationships with the EU's Committee of the Regions - which is intended to give smaller regions and localities a say in Europe-wide decision making.
International relations minister Eluned Morgan said: "The Welsh Government has been clear that although Wales may leave the European Union, we are not leaving Europe, and, therefore, it makes sense for us to develop ongoing relations with the relevant organisations and institutions within the European Union, as well as networks and relations with other regions, so that we don’t lose that successful collaboration."
International relations minister Eluned Morgan
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