Foreign and Commonwealth Office - Devolution

Devolution

International relations are handled centrally from Westminster on behalf of the whole of Britain and its dependencies. However, the devolved administrations also maintain an overseas presence in the European Union, the USA and China alongside British diplomatic missions:

European Union

• Scotland House (Brussels)
• Wales House (Brussels)
• Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels

USA

• Scottish Affairs Office (Washington DC)
• Welsh Assembly Government External Affairs Department (New York)
• Northern Ireland Bureau (Washington DC)

These offices aim to promote their regional economies and ensure that devolved interests are taken into account in British foreign policy. Ministers from devolved administrations can attend international negotiations when permitted by the British Government e.g. EU fisheries negotiations.

UK and devolved administration ministers meet at approximately quarterly intervals through the Joint Ministerial Committee (Europe), chaired by the Foreign Secretary to "discuss matters bearing on devolved responsibilities that are under discussion within the European Union."