WALES' special relationship with fellow Celtic region Brittany was given a further boost yesterday when First Minister Carwyn Jones addressed the Breton Regional Council in Rennes.

The First Minister was invited to the north western French region by Jean-Yves le Drian, President of the Regional Council.

Reflecting on the common ties between Wales and Brittany, Mr Jones praised the co-operation between the two on areas including culture, language, health, agriculture and sustainable development.

He said: "By working together we shape and influence policy on an international stage and further promote the role of regional governments.

"Wales and Brittany are both long-standing members of The Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR). With our work on cohesion policy and Common Agricultural Policy reform, CPMR is an example of how regional co-operation can have real benefits.’’ The First Minister also identified areas where the Welsh and Breton governments could develop their work together, particularly in relation to climate change and a possible joint-bid to EuropeAid to increase the amount of community-level engagement with Sub-Saharan Africa.

Mr Le Drian and the First Minister later signed a document reaffirming continued co-operation between Wales and Brittany.

Often described in France as "Little Britain’’, Brittany is viewed as one of the six Celtic nations along with Wales. Its national anthem has the same tune as Land Of My Fathers.