A Channel delegation delegation came to Caen on 8 November to meet with the management and teachers of the ICEP CFA. After a visit of the site to better understand the disciplines taught, discussions were held on the possible ways of cooperation in the apprenticeship, with a focus on the catering. A visit deemed very interesting, facilitated by the Chamber of Commerce of Caen, and in the presence of the Normandy Region, which should lead to a concrete exchange project in 2018.

The visit of the French Ambassador included various meetings, commemorations and cultural activities. The Ambassador met with Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq and members from the Committees for Economic Development, Home Affairs, and Education, Sport & Culture, as well as representatives from Sark and Alderney, during which issues such as tax and maritime matters were discussed.

The Ambassador also presented the Légion d’honneur to a local D Day veteran during a presentation hosted by HE Sir Ian Corder. This was followed by a short commemoration ceremony at the Smith Street War Memorial to mark the Battle of Verdun and remember the local soldiers, both British and French citizens, who fought in France during the Great War. Her visit also included a short meeting with the Préfet Maritime of Cherbourg who was visiting Guernsey on the same day around other specific maritime matters.

The Préfet Maritime of the North and Channel Sea (based in Cherbourg) visited the Channel Islands on 17 and 18 October 2016. The objective was to develop regular and sustainable contacts with the emergency services of the Channel Islands and cooperate better on safety operations and exercises at sea. Admiral Ausseur was hosted by the Harbourmasters of Jersey and Guernsey. He also met with the Ministers for External Affairs and Home Affairs Ministers of each island.

On 15 September, they spent the day in Guernsey, where they met with the Bailiff, the Chief Minister and members of the business community. The following day, the delegation (including representatives of the States of Guernsey) visited Jersey to attend an annual summit. The summit explored opportunities for partnership between the four jurisdictions (Jersey, Guernsey, La Manche and the Normandy Region), as agreed in the cooperation agreement that was signed in Normandy last year.

The delegation was welcomed to Jersey by the Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, and they were also joined by the Prefect of La Manche, Mr. Jacques Witkowski, who represented the French State at the summit. Representative of the Chief Pleas of Sark, associate member of the agreement, also attended.

Since the inaugural summit in Mont Saint Michel last year, there have been elections in Normandy and Guernsey. This year’s summit will therefore serve as a formal welcome to the President of Normandy, Hervé Morin, the President of La Manche, Philippe Bas, and Guernsey’s Chief Minister, Deputy Gavin St Pier.

An action plan was also presented, proposing joint projects in higher education, academic exchanges, culture, environment (including marine renewable energy), tourism and other areas of the economy.

A signing ceremony to renew the cooperation agreement between the four parties and extend it to a larger scale in Normandy concluded the meeting.

A formal public enquiry, initiated by the French government, started in France on 4 August to explore the project more fully. Anyone can make a submission to the enquiry.

Developers, Ailes Marines, presented their plans at a public meeting at Fort Regent on 6 September and have set up an exhibition at Fort Regent from 18 August until 29 September.

As part of the consultation, public enquiry commissioners came to Jersey on September 7, to record the views of Islanders and the Government.

People could also give their views to the public enquiry by recording comments on a paper register held at Fort Regent reception for the duration of the public enquiry. An online version was also made available for comments and questions until 29 September.

On 3rd September, the Bailiff of Jersey unveiled a stone in Guillemont which commemorates the men of the Jersey Contingent, Royal Irish Rifles, who fought and died there in September 1916 and all from Jersey who served in the Great War. Their hearts, like the heart of this stone, lie in Jersey.

The Government of Jersey and the Breton department of Ille-et-Vilaine held their annual summit in Jersey on 9 June 2016.

Since they signed a cooperation agreement in 2008, which was renewed in 2014, Ille-et-Vilaine and the Government of Jersey have met annually to explore opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation.

The Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, and the President of the Conseil Départemental of Ille-et-Vilaine, Jean-Luc Chenut, jointly chaired the summit. Deputy Al Brouard, representing the States of Guernsey, also attended the summit as an observer, reflecting Guernsey’s increasing engagement with Ille et Vilaine.

Among the subjects discussed at the summit were: trade opportunities; construction; educational programmes; cultural and sports exchanges; and environmental issues.

The French Ambassador to the UK, Her Excellency Mrs Sylvie Bermann visited Jersey on 19 and 20 May.

During her visit, the Ambassador met the Bailiff, Mr William Bailhache, the Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, and the Minister for External Relations, Senator Sir Philip Bailhache, as well as other Ministers. She stayed at Government House as the guest of the Lieutenant Governor, General Sir John McColl.

The itinerary for the visit included the laying of a wreath at St Thomas’ Church in memory of French residents of Jersey who died during World War I, a reception for French nationals at St Helier Town Hall, and the presentation of the Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur to Jersey D-Day veterans at the Old Library in the States Building. The Ambassador also visited Mont Orgueil, as well as attending meetings at the Maison de la Normandie et de la Manche and the Alliance Française de Jersey.

During her stay, the Ambassador also met business and finance industry representatives, and was the guest of honour at a dinner hosted by the Bailiff. ​

On Friday 15 April, the President of the Departmental Council of La Manche Philippe Bas made his first official visit to Alderney and was welcomed by its President Stuart Trought. On the program of the day, besides the discovery of the island, thematic meetings and visits were held around the development of relations between Alderney and La Manche, improved maritime links with the continent, and renewable énergies.