Author: Elise Meerpoel

This year, Jersey has hosted the annual political summit with the departmental council of Ille-et-Vilaine, and the regional council of Brittany alongside Guernsey.

This summit, held at Greve de Lecq Barracks, highlighted the continued strength of these regional partnerships and the collaborative efforts fostered through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Jersey has benefited from fifteen years of joint working with the departmental council, while Guernsey joined the partnership in 2017. The MoU facilitates cooperation in numerous areas, including education, youth mobility, culture, arts, overseas aid, transport, and trade.

The MoU with Brittany, signed last year, encompasses economic development issues, education, and training, as well as maritime links covering transport, tourism, and relationships between ports and marine renewable energies.

On the morning of the 10 July, was held a session focused on links with Ille-et-Vilaine. A notable highlight was the successful artistic residency at Greve de Lecq Barracks, a collaboration between Art House Jersey, Guernsey Art House, and Les Ateliers du Vent from Rennes. Delegates previewed an exhibition at Capital House, showcasing the outcomes of it, with the official opening scheduled for 11 July.

The afternoon session was dedicated to strengthening ties with Brittany. Discussions covered various regional issues, including topics such as wind farms, sharing information on respective marine spatial plans, and broader political relationships and areas of mutual interest within Europe and the EU.

A key highlight of the day was the signing of a new MoU between the Ports of Jersey and the Region of Brittany. This agreement aims to develop a sustainable maritime route, or “green corridor,” between Jersey and St Malo. The MoU covers the sharing of expertise and studies, decarbonisation plans for maritime transport companies, and initiatives to be developed in marinas.

The summit was co-chaired by Deputy Gorst, Minister of External Relations and Deputy Morel, Minister of State for Economic Development. Attendees included Deputy Lyndon Farnham, Jersey’s Chief Minister as well as Deputy Le Tocq, President of the Committee for External relations in Guernsey. From the Ille-et-Vilaine department came Jean-Luc Chenut, President of the departmental council, his Vice-President in charge of Cultural Matters Denez Marchand, his councillor Michèle Motel, in charge of the relationship with the Channel Islands and Charlotte Faillé Part of the opposition party. On the Region’s side we could find Daniel Cueff, Vice-President in charge of maritime and coastal affairs, and Stéphane Perrin-Sarzier, Vice-President in charge of International Relations.

On 1 and 2 July, Jersey’s Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, Deputy Kirsten Morel, visited the towns of Rennes and St-Malo.

On the first day, he attended the International Open in Rennes. Numerous meetings were then held with Economic stakeholders from Brittany, such as Bretagne Commerce International (BCI). The Minister also discussed yachting opportunities with the Regional Council, met the Saint-Malo Tourism Board as well as the Bretagne Plaisance organisation.

During his visit, the Minister also had the opportunity to visit the Collège Moka in St-Malo and view an exhibition, with was the result of an artist residency run by Jersey local artist Kiera Melville from April to June 2024 (see our article from 4 May 2024). Throughout this period, Ms Melville taught art classes to secondary school students on a weekly basis and managed to extract their best artistic skills.

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Government of Jersey and Rennes School of Business (RSB) which will give Islanders easier access to RSB’s world-class education and development.

This MoU was signed by Deputy Kirsten Morel, Minister for Sustainable Economic Development of Jersey, and Adilson Borges, Rennes School of Business’ Dean and General Director, during a Ministerial visit to Rennes and St-Malo, from 1 July to 2 July.

The agreement is expected to lead to greater opportunities for executive business1 education for those already in business, and to supporting students who would like to study RSB’ undergraduate degrees taught in English at the school.

RSB, ranked by the Financial Times as one of World’s Top 100 schools for custom programmes, has already been represented at Jersey’s Higher Education Fair.

The French Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Her Excellency Hélène Tréheux-Duchêne has visited Jersey and Guernsey respectively on the 11 and 12 June. This was the Ambassador’s first official visit to the islands since her appointment in 2022.

Jersey

Left to right: Deputy Ian Gorst, Ambassador Hélène Tréheux-Duchêne, Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham

The agenda for Ambassador Duchêne’s visit in Jersey included a series of high-level meetings with Ministers and senior officials, focusing on education, culture, connectivity, and economic links. Her Excellency had the opportunity to meet with the Chief Minister, Deputy Lyndon Farnham; the Minister for External Relations, Deputy Ian Gorst; the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, Deputy Kirsten Morel, and the Minister for the Environment, Deputy Steve Luce.

During her visit, the Ambassador met Jersey’s Lieutenant-Governor, His Excellency Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd CBE. The Ambassador also had the opportunity to sample a unique Jersey-France dish created as a collaboration between Franco-British Young Leader Gregory Cuilleron and Joe Baker at Petchi. Additionally, she toured Mont Orgueil Castle on the afternoon and attended an official dinner hosted by the Bailiff in the evening.

The Ambassador also toured the Entente Cordiale exhibition at the Société Jersiaise on the morning of 11 June.

Commenting on the Ambassador’s visit, Minister for External Relations, Deputy Ian Gorst said: “I am delighted to welcome Her Excellency, Hélène Duchêne, to Jersey. Our rich history of cultural and people to people links means that France will always be one of Jersey’s closest partners as well as our closest neighbour. This visit is an opportunity to remember our shared past and discuss how we can co-operate even more closely in the future, especially in areas such as renewable energy, education, and trade. As we celebrate 120 years of the Entente Cordiale between Britain and France, what better place to highlight this enduring relationship and look to the future than Jersey.”

Guernesey

Left to right: Chief Minister Lyndon Trott, Ambassador Hélène Tréheux-Duchêne, Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq

On the 12 June, whilst in Guernsey, the Ambassador met the Chief Minister, Deputy Lyndon Trott, and other members of the Policy & Resources Committee, and members of the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure, the Committee for Economic Development and the Committee for Education, Sport and Culture.

Meetings with politicians focussed on the island’s current priorities, energy, trade and the economy, financial services, environmental initiatives and sustainable finance, Guernsey’s relationship with the EU, and the bilateral relationship with France. The Ambassador also visited Hauteville (Victor Hugo) House, Candie Museum and the Priaulx Library during her time in the island to reflect the special cultural links between Guernsey and France.

Deputy Trott said:

“I was delighted to be able to welcome the French Ambassador to Guernsey for her first visit here.

The relationship with France, as our nearest neighbour and regional partner, is vitally important to Guernsey’s government. Discussions during the Ambassador’s time in the island focussed on our historic and existing links and looked to build on those for future opportunities. My political colleagues and I look forward to continuing to engage with Her Excellency and her team at the Embassy in future.”

Ambassador Duchêne’s involvement in the recent D-Day commemorations, including her attendance at the Portsmouth ceremony on 5 June, highlights her commitment to commemorating historical ties. This visit represented an important milestone in reinforcing the deep cultural and historical bonds between the Channel Islands and France, and in fostering ongoing and future co-operation between the neighbours.

To mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, a delegation from Jersey and Guernsey visited Normandy.

Deputy Bailiff Robert MacRae and Minister for External Relations Deputy Ian Gorst attended to represent Jersey while Chief Minister Deputy Lyndon Trott, External Relations lead Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq and Bailiff of Guernsey Sir Richard MacMahon represented their island.

During the visit, they attended the tribute to civilian victims’ ceremony in St-Lo in the presence of Emmanuel Macron.

The next day, they attended the commemoration at the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer, which was also attended by King Charles, French President Emmanuel Macron, current Prime Minister Keir Starmer and dozens of British veterans who landed there on 6 June 1944. The Channel Islands delegation could engage with them all.

The Channel Islands representatives then attended the French and American Commemoration at Omaha beach along with US veterans, American President Joe Biden, President Macron and Prince William.

On the night of the 6 June, Bailiff of Guernsey Sir Richard McMahon and Deputy Bailiff of Jersey Robert MacRae laid wreaths at the memorial of the Royal Engineers at Pegasus Bridge where Jersey engineer, the late Clive Kemp, landed on 6 June 1944 and drove through enemy lines.

The Deputy Bailiff of Jersey said: “It is important that we never forget the service and sacrifice of those who fought to liberate Europe and secure for us the freedoms which we continue to enjoy today.”

On the 7 June they attended the international ceremony in Cherbourg. Among dignitaries attending was French president Emmanuel Macron.

Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq said: “I felt privileged to have been invited by President Macron as well as our close friends in the Normandy administration to a number of significant and different events to mark the 80th anniversary. We were also guests of the British Legion at a service of commemoration at the British Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer, in the presence of the King and Queen,” he said. “It was especially moving to hear the testimonies of those few veterans who were present.”

A Channel Islands delegation, comprising pupils from Jersey and Alderney, travelled to France on 4 June to attend a dedicated Olympic Day, on invitation by the department of Ille-et-Vilaine.

The Channel Islands team, along with teams from Romania and Rennes’ schools, participated in an opening ceremony parade, with torch and flag bearers running around the stadium. Students tried their hand at various Olympic sports throughout the day, ranging from the ancient disciplines of long jump and fencing to the addition of more recent Olympic sports such as break dancing. A real highlight of the day was the highly competitive Paralympic wheelchair racing, with the chance also to meet with a Paralympian table tennis player.  The day finished with a closing ceremony and an opportunity to visit the Department of Ille-et-Vilaine council chamber to meet with the President and learn about the region and the Department’s growing partnership with the Channel Islands.

A great show of continuous links between the Channel Islands and their close neighbours from Brittany.

Here is what children expressed about this visit:

“It was a fantastic experience meeting other French speaking students as well as pupils from Alderney and Romania too. Everyone was so friendly and it was great to be part of the team and really feel the Olympic spirit.”

“My favourite part was being the Flag bearer in the Olympic parade and playing football with the Romanian team on the beach in the evening.”

“I enjoyed being in France, tasting the French food and loved the wheelchair relay race!”

“I’ve never had a go at fencing before. We learnt so much, and I found out I was pretty good at it! Doing the presentation in French and the dance was challenging, but I’m proud to have represented the Channel Islands”

“I enjoyed trying out all the sports and even got to run around the indoor 200 metre track with some of the pupils from Alderney.”

As part of cooperation with the Department of Ille et Vilaine, and its annual artist residency in college, the Government of Jersey proposed, supported and coordinated a project combining artistic and linguistic practice.

Jersey artist Kiera Melville was selected for a 6-week residency with Year 9 pupils from Collège Moka in St Malo.

In the Olympic year, work around disabled sports was planned… but the verdict will be on the 6 June during the opening of the exhibition, to discover the work of the students, carried by the Jersey artist.

On 12 and 14 March, the Higher Education Fairs were held respectively in Jersey and Guernsey.

On March 12 in Jersey, Rennes Business School and the University of Caen (UniCaen) attended to the Higher Education Fair to promote a rich, varied and geographically close education to young learners of the island. On 14 March, the UniCaen team travelled to Guernsey to present at the Higher Education fair.

These relationships are formalized around a cooperation agreement, renewed in 2023 for Jersey. They enable students from the Channel Islands to come in Caen-Normandy and strengthen their language skills (DUEF) and then, if they wish, continue their university path in France, getting as close as possible to French culture, alongside other international students.

From Monday 12 February to Wednesday 14 February 2024, a delegation from the Channel Islands went to Paris to meet different political actors. Among them, French senators and deputies members of the study group on the Channel Islands (=APPG), the president of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the National Assembly, officers of the British Embassy in Paris, the British ambassador to the UNESCO and the Irish ambassador to France.

This delegation comprised the Minister of Sustainable Economic Development of Jersey, Deputy Kirsten Morel and the Member of the Policy and Resources Committee with responsibility for external relations in Guernsey, Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq. Meetings took place in a warm atmosphere with relevant discussions on the future of cooperation with the Channel Islands.

Ministers prioritised the Channel Islands’ commitment to fostering positive relations with France and other European partners, while maintaining close cooperation across various shared interests. Both Guernsey and Jersey have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Normandy Region and La Manche Department, as well as with the Brittany Region and the Ille-et-Vilaine Department respectively.

Minister Kirsten Morel highlighted the enduring links between France and Jersey politically, culturally and historically, while emphasizing the importance of strengthening these connections with its nearest neighbour:

“Our discussions underscored the importance of regional cooperation between the Channel Islands and France and our joint commitment to further developing this collaboration. Additionally, we’ve engaged with principal political stakeholders in Paris discussing key areas of interest such as connectivity. This engagement allowed us to explore potential economic and commercial ties, working towards a sustainable and resilient future, for which France plays an important role.”

Reflecting on the visit, Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq remarked:

“France is a key European partner, with whom we share historic, cultural and geographic links.  As Guernsey continues to develop its international identity and bilateral relations with partners around the world, this visit provided a timely opportunity to further strengthen our working relationship with the central authorities in Paris as part of our good neighbour policy, supporting the ongoing and positive engagement that we have with our regional partners in Normandy and Brittany. The visit enabled discussion on a range of issues that are priorities for Guernsey, such as energy and connectivity, on which we have shared interests with France. I look forward to continuing to work closely with our sister island of Jersey as we continue to further develop this relationship with our closest European neighbour.”

Since 23 November, the two fisheries of Jersey and Cotentin have obtained their third (2011, 2016 and 2023) “Sustainable Fishing” certification, an eco-label awarded by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), an international environmental NGO which has been fighting since 25 years, against overfishing for the preservation of marine resources.

This is the only existing cross-border certification. For this certification, the experts rely on three major criteria:

• the limited impact of fishing practices on ecosystems, “fishing which is done using pots, placed on the bottom and which do not move”, specifies Caroline Gamelin, fishing manager for MSC.
• The efficient and responsive management system with, for example, verification of the number of pots on board vessels, the compulsory use of escape devices for juvenile lobsters,
• And the good health of the resource

“MSC re-certification, … is an international recognition of our good practices, the continuity of our commitments towards sustainable and responsible fishing, better still, the opportunity to look for increasingly reliable management models” says Marc Delahaye, director of the Normandy Regional Committee for Maritime Fisheries and Marine Farming.

Jersey is pleased and proud to have received a recertification of the MSC Lobster fishery jointly held with Normandy. Recertification under the newer standard required evidence of good management and quality research data. Ensuring a sustainable lobster fishery is a key objective for the island’s fishing community and one that is supported fully by the Government’s Marine Resources team.