Presiding Officer, First Minister, Members of the National Assembly of Wales.
It gives me the greatest pleasure to celebrate the opening of the Second National Assembly for Wales and I join Her Majesty in congratulating the Members on their election.
As I travel around Wales, from Anglesey to Monmouthshire, from Newtown to St David's - in the Valleys, the coastal towns, the cities and the rural communities - I see that people are addressing issues that matter to them with increasing confidence and a sense of ownership.
In cultural terms, in economic terms, in environmental terms, Wales has its own identity and its own voice. The Assembly is part of its evolution into a distinct, vibrant country respecting the treasure of its tradition while playing an important role within the United Kingdom and on the world stage.
The Assembly is well-placed to address the many challenges facing the diverse communities of this ancient land, and I wish its Members every success in their important task.
