Bureau des ÃŽles Anglo-Normandes

The Préfet of Brittany, Mr Christophe Mirmand, visited Jersey on Thursday 19 October, to meet representatives from the Governments of Guernsey and Jersey, as part of the growing relationship between the Islands and the Brittany region. This is the first time that a Préfet of Brittany has visited the Channel Islands.

As Pr̩fet, Mr Mirmand represents the French Prime Minister and Government in the region. His main responsibilities are representing the state at local government level, security Рincluding the coordination of the police and gendarmerie forces, and safety Рespecially coordination in the event of a natural disaster and subsequent relief operations.

Mr Mirmand met with delegations from both Islands, including the Chief Minister of Jersey, Senator Ian Gorst; Senator Sir Philip Bailhache, the Jersey Minister for External Relations; Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, Policy & Resources Committee Member with responsibility for External Relations in Guernsey; Deputy Kristina Moore, Jersey Home Affairs Minister and Deputy Mary Lowe, President of the Committee for Home Affairs in Guernsey.

During his visit, Mr Mirmand discussed ongoing engagement between the Channel Islands and France, both at a national and regional level, and was briefed on matters including emergency planning and maritime rescue, as well as the Islands’ strong energy and fishing links with the Brittany region. Mr Mirmand was also updated on both Islands’ objectives and preparations for Brexit.

The Préfet’s visit concluded with a meeting with Home Affairs Ministers of Guernsey and Jersey, on the cooperation between the Channel Islands and Brittany in matters of policing and customs.