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. 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, the Member of the Policy and Resources Committee with responsibility for external relations in Guernsey 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.”

Guernesey a accueilli le sommet politique annuel réunissant le conseil départemental de la Manche, le conseil régional de Normandie, le Gouvernement de Jersey et les Etats de Guernesey.

Ce sommet annuel a lieu depuis 2015, date à laquelle un accord de coopération a été signé entre Jersey, Guernesey, La Manche et l’ancienne région de Basse-Normandie aujourd’hui devenue Normandie. Dans le cadre de l’accord de coopération, les représentants de chaque collectivité se réunissent chaque année pour explorer les pistes de travail communes.

Au cours du sommet, les discussions ont porté sur divers sujets, notamment les questions post-Brexit telles que les questions de pêche, de douane et d’immigration ; les énergies marines renouvelables ; sécurité civile ; les liens culturels, tels que la langue et l’éducation ; et la connectivité.

Une attention particulière a également été accordée aux relations politiques plus larges et aux domaines d’intérêt mutuel au sein de l’Europe et de l’UE.

Lors de ce sommet, Guernesey était représentée par le Ministre des Affaires étrangères; le député Neil Inder, Ministre de l’Economie; le député Rob Prow, Ministre de l’Intérieur ; la députée Lindsay De Sausmarez, Ministre de l’Environnement; et la députée Andrea Dudley-Owen, Ministre de l’Education, du sport et de la culture.

Jersey était représentée par le Premier Ministre adjoint Kirsten Morel ; la députée Helen Miles, ministre de l’Intérieur ; et le député Jonathan Renouf, ministre de l’Environnement.

Le conseil départemental de la Manche était représenté par son président, Jean Morin ; le conseil régional de Normandie était représenté par son vice-président en charge des Relations Internationales, François-Xavier Priollaud; et la Préfecture de La Manche était représentée par le préfet Xavier Brunetière et sa sous-préfète Stéphanie Petitjean.

 The President of La Manche, Jean Morin, has visited Guernsey this week on his first formal visit to the island since being elected President of the departmental council in July 2021. The visit provided an opportunity to discuss a range of topics of mutual interest, with a particular focus on environmental matters including energy, climate change, and active travel.

Guernsey has a strong relationship with Normandy and in particular the departmental council of La Manche. This is formalised through a cooperation agreement with Normandy, La Manche and Jersey, which covers four priority areas: governmental links; economic development, tourism and transport; education, sports, culture and heritage; and environment and marine renewable energy. Alderney and Sark are associate members of this agreement.

During the visit President Morin met the member from the Policy & Resources Committee member with responsibility for external relations, and Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, President of the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure, as well as officers from the States of Guernsey and representatives of Guernsey Electricity. Discussions covered Guernsey and La Manche’s respective responses to climate change, energy generation and interconnectors, and active travel. The President was also able to see the ‘School Street’ initiative at St Martin’s Primary School and have a demonstration of the ‘Walking Cycling Guernsey’ app, which was released in 2019 to make information on Ruettes Tranquilles easily accessible to those out and about across the Island.

The annual Summit of the Channel Islands, the Manche department and the Normandy region, which has been held since 2015 alternately in the Channel Islands and Normandy, is taking place this year in Caen at the Abbaye aux Dames, one of the jewels of Norman heritage and headquarters of the Regional Council of Normandy.

The Minister of External Relations of Philip Ozouf, and the member of the Policy & Resources Committee with responsibility for External Relations of Guernsey were able to discuss with their host Hervé Morin, President of Normandy, and Jean Morin President of the Manche department. The Jersey Chief Minister Kristina Moore et Ian Carter, States Member of the States of Alderney joined the discussion by video conference.

The 2022 agenda of this strategic meeting focused on three main issues that affect all parties: the consequences of Brexit and its impact on mobility, trade and fisheries; general bilateral relations in terms of education, culture, sport and trade; and the consequences of climate change on coastal areas, common issues to our territories. This last subject was the topic of an afternoon visit to the wave canals at the Builders for Society engineering school in Epron and the breakwater equipped with bio-sourced concrete blocks from the CHERLOC project in Ouistreham.

The summit was also an opportunity to present an annual review of regional cooperation in terms of education, culture, trade, tourism and other projects related to this partnership.

Finally, it marked the renewal of the cooperation agreement for another three years, confirming the continued desire of all parties to work closely together in areas of mutual interest.

Une délégation anglo normande (francophone) composée des Ministres Affaires étrangères de Jersey et de Guernesey ( représentés par Philip Ozouf) et du ministre du Développement économique, du Tourisme, du Sport et de la Culture de Jersey (Kirsten Morel) s’est rendue à Rennes le 18 octobre.

Dans un monde post-Brexit, les îles souhaitent rétablir la confiance et réaffirmer les liens de longue date dans un large éventail de domaines, notamment la culture, l’économie, le tourisme et l’éducation.

Dans le domaine de l’art et de la culture, la stratégie 2022-27 du gouvernement de Jersey reconnaît la nécessité de développer des relations culturelles et des échanges artistiques beaucoup plus forts avec les pays d’Europe, et avec la France en particulier.

Rennes est une ville dynamique et riche en expériences artistiques et culturelles. Le but de cette visite était principalement de rencontrer des institutions culturelles bretonnes dans l’optique d’échanger sur les approches et visions respectives, d’envisager des collaborations futures, et de rencontrer les partenaires historiques.

La journée a débuté par une visite du centre culturel Les Champs Libres, qui répond en tout point aux objectifs identifiés dans la stratégie culturelle de Jersey et qui pourrait devenir un modèle inspirant pour le futur centre culturel de Jersey. Elle a été suivie par une visite de l’Opéra de Rennes dans le cadre de l’opération Opéra sur écrans dont Jersey et Guernsey sont partenaires depuis de nombreuses années. Une rencontre inspirante, l’opéra mettant en place tout au long de l’année des actions novatrices pour ouvrir la culture à divers publics. Une visite des Ateliers du Vent a permis de découvrir ce lieu de création qui fait écho au travail d’Art House Jersey et Guernsey Arts Commission en faveur des artistes et de la création locale, et d’envisager des projets communs entre des artistes anglo-normands et français en résidence.

Au long de cette journée, les ministres ont également rencontré les représentants du Conseil régional de Bretagne pour présenter le nouveau gouvernement de Jersey et développer des actions concrètes dans les domaines tels que le transport, le yachting et le tourisme. Par ailleurs, une rencontre avec le département d’Ille et Vilaine a également eu lieu dans le cadre de la coopération déjà établie avec le Département depuis de nombres années, et avec qui de nouvelles pistes de coopération en matière de culture ont pu être identifiées.

As part of the ongoing cooperation, Jersey and Guernsey have attended the annual political summit with the departmental council of Ille-et-Vilaine to review how they have been working together.

The departmental council of Ille et Vilaine hosted the 2022 summit in Rennes; the first time that the meeting has taken place in person since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The cooperation agreement, between Guernsey, Jersey and the departmental council of Ille et Vilaine, renewed in 2020 for a period of three years, facilitates joint working in a number of areas, including education, youth mobility, culture and arts, overseas aid, transport and trade. It also enables discussions on strategic issues such as the impact on the Channel Islands of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

Les ministres des Affaires étrangères des îles anglo-normandes se joindront demain [vendredi 24 septembre] aux élus français lors d’un sommet annuel qui explore les opportunités de travail collaboratif.

Le sommet politique annuel avec la région Normandie et le département de la Manche se tient cette année à Jersey.

Le sommet annuel se tient depuis 2015, date à laquelle un accord de coopération a été signé entre Jersey, Guernesey, La Manche et la région de Basse-Normandie (qui est désormais unifiée avec la Haute-Normandie). Aurigny et Serq se joignent à la réunion en tant que membres associés de l’accord.

Dans le cadre de l’accord de coopération, des représentants de chaque juridiction se réunissent chaque année pour explorer comment ils peuvent travailler en collaboration.

Le sommet se concentrera sur trois questions principales qui touchent toutes les parties : les conséquences du changement climatique, Covid-19 ; Brexit et son impact potentiel, y compris la pêche.

Les représentants suivants seront présents :

• Jersey sera représenté par le Premier ministre, le sénateur John Le Fondré, et le ministre des Relations extérieures, le sénateur Ian Gorst
• Guernesey sera représentée par le Ministre des Affaires Etrangères
• Aurigny sera représenté par le vice-président Graham McKinley
• Sark sera représenté par le conseiller John Guille
• La Normandie sera représentée par le Président Hervé Morin
• La Manche sera représentée par le Président Jean Morin
• La Préfecture de la Manche sera représentée par le Préfet de la Manche, Gérard Gavory.

Le ministre des Relations extérieures, le sénateur Ian Gorst, a déclaré : « Le Sommet de Normandie nous offre une occasion très appréciée de rencontrer nos plus proches voisins de Normandie et de la Manche. Nous discuterons d’un éventail de sujets, notamment de l’impact de Covid-19 et de la manière dont le départ de la Grande-Bretagne de l’UE continuera d’affecter des secteurs tels que la pêche. Cette année, nous discuterons également de la façon dont le changement climatique pourrait affecter la région. »

« Notre dialogue a toujours été dans un esprit de coopération mutuelle ; il est important pour nous de renforcer notre relation et de poursuivre notre engagement à travailler ensemble.

Le ministre en chef, le sénateur John Le Fondré, a déclaré : « La France et Jersey ont traversé des moments sans précédent au cours des deux dernières années. L’importance de ces réunions est devenue évidente alors que nous sommes tous confrontés à des défis communs. J’attends avec impatience notre sommet annuel, qui nous donnera à tous l’occasion de partager notre expérience, notre force et notre vision pour l’avenir.

Le ministre des Affaires étrangères de Guernesey, a déclaré : « Il s’agit du premier de nos sommets annuels depuis l’entrée en vigueur de l’Accord de commerce et de coopération entre le Royaume-Uni et l’UE le 31 décembre dernier. Bien qu’il s’agisse de l’accord formel entre le Royaume-Uni et l’UE, notre place dans cet accord a été négociée en vue de garantir que nous maintenions nos relations de bon voisinage avec la France, en particulier la Normandie et la Manche.

« Le sommet offre également l’occasion de continuer à en apprendre davantage sur nos approches face à la pandémie de Covid-19. Nous attendons avec impatience de voir le volume de voyages et d’échanges commencer à croître entre les îles et la France. Le Bailliage de Guernesey apprécie grandement l’engagement continu et la collaboration étroite avec nos voisins français les plus proches et nos partenaires régionaux sur un large éventail de sujets.

Le prochain sommet se tiendra en Normandie en 2022.

The Governments of Guernsey and Jersey have renewed their partnership agreement with the departmental council of Ille et Vilaine for another three years. Representatives from both Islands were due to attend the annual summit between Guernsey, Jersey, and Ille et Vilaine in St Malo today where the agreement would have been signed, but due to COVID-19-related travel restrictions, the parties agreed to go ahead with the signing by videoconference.  The agreement has been signed, enabling cooperation between the three jurisdictions to continue for a further three years.  A formal meeting of representatives has been rescheduled for spring 2021.

Jersey has enjoyed fifteen years of joint working with one of its closest neighbours, Ille et Vilaine. Guernsey officially joined the partnership in 2017. The cooperation agreement facilitates joint working in a number of areas, including education and youth, culture and arts, as well as transport, and trade.  It also enables discussions to take place on strategic issues such as the impact on the Channel Islands and the port of St Malo of the UK’s departure from the EU.  In 2019, the Prefecture of Brittany attended the annual summit as an observer to provide updates on subjects within its mandate such as emergency planning and customs and immigration matters. At the virtual signing ceremony, the departmental council of Ille et Vilaine was represented by its President, Jean Luc Chenut; Jersey was represented by the Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré and Minister for External Relations, Senator Ian Gorst; and Guernsey was represented by the member of the Policy and Resources Committee with responsibility for external relations.

Guernsey and Jersey have attended the annual political summit with the region of Normandy and the department of La Manche to re-sign a cooperation agreement that promotes greater partnership working between the four jurisdictions.

A cooperation agreement was first signed between Jersey, Guernsey La Manche and the region of Lower Normandy in January 2015, and this was renewed in September 2016 following the unification of the regions of Upper and Lower Normandy. Alderney and Sark are associate members of the agreement. As part of the cooperation the six jurisdictions have met annually to explore opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation. This year, the department of La Manche hosted the summit in Cherbourg.

Senator Ian Gorst, Minister for External Relations in Jersey, the member of the Policy & Resources Committee with responsibility for External Relations of Guernsey, Hervé Morin, President of the Region of Normandy and Marc Lefèvre, President of the Conseil Départemental of La Manche, jointly chaired the summit where various subjects were discussed. These included Brexit and its implications for the Channel Islands, including fishing and contingency planning for a no-deal exit. Areas of regional cooperation were also discussed, such as educational links; cultural initiatives; and economic opportunities. James Dent, Chairman of the Policy & Finance Committee and Vice-President of the States of Alderney, also attended the meeting.

Senator Ian Gorst, Minister for External Relations in Jersey, said:

“This Summit with the leaders of Normandy and La Manche gave us the opportunity to strengthen the long-standing relationship Jersey has with our nearest neighbours.  We reviewed progress our cooperation over higher education, student exchanges, culture, environment – including marine renewable energy, tourism and other areas of our economies.

“The renewal of the cooperation agreement further emphasises the Channel Islands’ and Normandy’s commitment to working closely and productively together. The political leaders all affirmed that such co-operation is particularly important at the time of the UK’s exit from the EU. I agreed with my Norman colleagues that the cooperation between Jersey and France under the Bay of Granville Agreement was an example of mutual benefits that can derive from working together. We agreed to continue discussions about this.

I welcome the Normandy regional authority’s commitment to smooth market access for Jersey fishermen, and am happy to say we have agreed to support a project which will facilitate landings in Granville.”

The Member of the Policy & Resources Committee with responsibility for External Relations said:

“It was a pleasure for me to attend the annual summit of the governments of the Bailiwick of Guernsey and Jersey and the authorities of Normandy and La Manche and renew the cooperation agreement for the next three years at this time of significant for us all.

As we work towards the UK’s withdrawal from the EU we are seeking stability and to minimise disruption caused by the UK exit.  This includes seeking agreement to manage how fisheries matters will be affected. It is our desire to be able to settle these issues directly to protect our interests, ensure we conserve our marine environment and balance our interests in cross border trade.

I look forward to continuing these discussions as we look to strengthen our relationship with Normandy and France, for our mutual benefit and where our interests are aligned.”

On 16^th May 2019 Jersey hosted the third annual political summit with the Government of Guernsey and the departmental council of Ille et Vilaine, to discuss progress on areas of joint working that form part of the cooperation agreement signed by the three jurisdictions in 2017. A Brexit update was also provided to our French counterparts.

The departmental council of Ille et Vilaine was represented at the summit by its President, Jean Luc Chenut. Jersey was represented by the Minister for External Relations Senator Ian Gorst and Guernsey was represented by the member of the Policy & Resources Committee with responsibility for external relations.

For the first time, the Préfète of Brittany Michèle Kirry, also attended as an observer and covered items under her remit (emergency planning as well as customs and immigration) on behalf of the French State.

The meeting was also an opportunity to provide an update on Brexit to our French visitors.

The content of discussions proved to be extremely valuable and the event was considered as one of the best one, with a great number of achievements. Next summit will be held in Ille et Vilaine in 2020.