Welsh first minister Rhodri Morgan has appointed his deputy, Mike German, to oversee rural development and the promotion of Wales abroad.

Announcing a limited reshuffle of responsibilities in the devolved Welsh government, Morgan said former rural affairs minister, Carwyn Jones, will become the new minister for open government.

The minister for finance and communities, Edwina Hart, has also been asked to give greater focus to crime reduction.

Morgan reinstated German to the post of deputy first minister last week after the Crown Prosecution Service decided there was insufficient evidence to mount a prosecution against him over allegations of wrong-doing when he worked for the Welsh Joint Education Committee exams board.

German was forced to step down as deputy first minister and economic development minister 11 months ago when South Wales police announced an investigation into the claims.

As the new rural development minister, German will oversee a beefed-up countryside portfolio that includes responsibility for economic development in rural areas, responsibility for co-ordinating the development and regeneration of rural Wales and working with the UK government on reform of agricultural subsidies.

He will also chair a new cabinet committee on the regeneration of rural Wales.

German will take responsibility for co-ordinating the promotion of Wales abroad, chairing the assembly's European and External Affairs Committee and the cabinet committee on Wales and the world.

The deputy first minister said he looked forward to tackling the challenges facing rural Wales.

"I look forward to working to sustain the rural communities upon which much of Wales is built with viable local economies, a strong agricultural sector and excellent public services.

"As a small nation, we have much to gain from a positive relationship with the European Union and the wider world. We also have much to contribute and I am determined that we punch above our weight to do so," he said.

Critical response

German's appointment was described as "bad news for Wales" by the Conservative leader in the assembly, Nick Bourne.

"Until the European fraud squad concludes their investigations into fraud surrounding the European Unit of the WJEC, where Mike German was the head, this reshuffle should not have happened," he said.

"Mike German's promotion to minister for rural development is bad news for Wales.

"He has no experience or background within the agricultural industry and after such a destructive year with foot and mouth, our farmers deserve to be represented by someone who knows and understands the industry and rural Wales."

"Today's reshuffle was based purely on the need for Rhodri Morgan to appease his Liberal partners, and not for the good interests of Wales," Bourne added.

Plaid Cymru also criticised the third change in ministerial responsibility for rural affairs, saying it was "unsettling" for a farming sector which was already in crisis.

Party leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said the Welsh nationalists would question German's role in promoting Wales abroad and overseeing relations with Europe while allegations regarding the poor management of EU-funded projects at the WJEC remained under investigation.

"We will be asking for a statement from first minister Rhodri Morgan on the appropriateness of this appointment when there is a cloud remaining over Mike German's tenure at the WJEC and he stands accused of incompetence in running EU-funded projects for that organisation," he said.

Open government

Making way at the rural affairs post, Carwyn Jones will continue as business manager, with enhanced responsibilities for ensuring that the devolved government "engages effectively with all who live in Wales".

He will add responsibility for equal opportunities, freedom of information and participation to his portfolio, which already includes human rights.

As finance and communities minister, Edwina Hart is to give greater priority to responsibilities for crime reduction and safe communities.

She will co-ordinate activities and take on additional responsibility for action on drug and alcohol abuse.

Hart's previous responsibility for staffing will revert to the first minister.