Author: Elise Meerpoel

In the wake of the cooperation with the Department of Ille et Vilaine, the External Relations Minister Sir Philip Bailhache and Education Minister Rod Bryans visited Rennes on 21 December. President Jean Luc Chenut hosted the delegation. The meeting enabled to discuss the cooperation to date and the vision for the future, taking into account the priorities of each jurisdiction and the reform of the French law (called NOTRe) which will have consequences on the competencies of the Departmental councils. Next meeting will be the annual summit and will take place in June 2016 in Jersey.

At the invitation of Hervé Morin, representatives from the Channel islands attended the first assembly of the regional council of the newly reunified Normandy.  Sir Philip Bailhache, Jersey’s Minister for External Relations, and Sir Richard Collas, Bailiff of Guernsey (both representing their respective Chief Minister) were in Rouen on 4 January for this special occasion. A symbolic and historic moment for Channel islands representatives. Indeed, until the Duchy was attached to the

Channel islands authorities wish to publish a message following the terrible terrorist attacks perpetrated in Paris on Friday 13th November.

Following this act of barbary, numerous peoples have lost their lives and political and civil representatives would like to address to the Victims families, the injured and the whole French population their sincerest and deepest condolences. Attacking innocent individuals is coward and the Channel Islands firmly condemn these terrorist acts.

By solidarity, the Channel Islands have organized many vigils and gathering ceremonies so the French community of the islands receives all the support they need from us. It is important that we all share the French sorrows for “our friends, our cousins”.

“We have to remain united and to stay together to preserve and defend our shared values of Freedom Liberté Egalité Fraternité which are so important against hatred and terrorism” agreed the Jersey and Guernsey Chief Ministers

The Chief Minister of Guernsey Jonathan LeTocq and the Chief Minister of Jersey Ian Gorst attended the official launch of the 2016 Tour de France in Paris, at the invitation of Philippe Bas, President of the Department La Manche. La Manche is one of the island’s longstanding partner and will host the Grand Départ as well as the two following stages which is a first in the history of the Tour that one single county hosts three different race stages. Indeed, the world’s most prestigious cycling race will start on the islands’ doorstep next summer from the Mont Saint-Michel on Saturday 2 July. Full itinerary here Given the partnership with La Manche, the islands are welcome to submit any project (educational, sport, cultural, etc) in relation to the Grand Depart of the Tour de France, before the 18 December. Please contact BIAN for further information.

Grand Depart website

The 28th European regional assembly of the APF was held in St Helier, Jersey between 12 and 15 October 2015. Various topics were discussed during the three day event, covering the promotion of the Francophonie in Jersey, a rather Anglophone island; the economic strategy for the Francophone Europe; and freedom of expression and of the press, following the tragic attacks against Charlie Hebdo earlier this year.

The conference, which brought together Parliamentarians from 16 Sections of the APF Europe region, was a great success.

Thanks to the kind involvement of the Prefecture of Brittany, the senior team of DVS in Jersey travelled to Rennes on 1 and 2 October 2015 to meet interlocutors of choice and see how driving tests are carried out and to what standard. The aim of the visit was to better understand the French learning rules for the revision of Jersey Driving tests and Examination procedures.

The meetings were seen as very interesting (or inspiring?) from both parties and enable to open a new line of communication between the French services and their Jersey counterparts.