Jersey will once again be represented at a major agricultural show in Paris this week.

The Economic Development Minister, Senator Lyndon Farnham, will lead a delegation to the Salon International de l’Agriculture (SIA) on Sunday, 24 February. The agricultural show is one of the biggest French agriculture events of the year and will provide an opportunity to showcase Jersey’s local produce, to promote the island as a tourist destination, and to strengthen links between Jersey and France.

This will be the seventh year that Jersey has exhibited at the show, which attracts more than 600,000 visitors annually.

Senator Farnham said: “The SIA is one of the world’s largest and most important agricultural shows. This popular and high-profile event provides us with an excellent opportunity to show off what Jersey has to offer, as well as allowing us to foster relationships with our closest neighbours.”

The department of La Manche will again host Jersey on their stand at the event, giving the island a platform to promote local produce and to showcase Jersey as a holiday destination. Visitors to the Jersey area of the Normandy stand will be able to see different varieties of daffodils grown in Jersey, and will sample a taste of Genuine Jersey products – including black butter, cider, salted caramel, pork pies, and new locally-produced Biltong. The stand will also offer festival-goers the chance to win a trip to the island.

La Manche has welcomed Jersey to share their stand since 2014, and Senator Farnham will meet President of La Manche, Marc Lefèvre, to renew this partnership during his trip.

Senator Farnham added: “This is a significant yearly opportunity for us to promote Jersey’s products, particularly Jersey Lobster, Jersey Oyster, Jersey Royals and Jersey Dairy: four of our most important agricultural exports. The event is also the perfect opportunity for us to endorse the island as a holiday destination, and for us to build links with a number of influential decision makers in France.

“It’s fantastic to have this annual chance to demonstrate our close links with Normandy, and I am delighted to be able to renew this partnership for three more years.”

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.

Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, member of the Policy & Resources Committee with responsibility for External Relations, Senator Ian Gorst, Minister for External Relations in Jersey, 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.

 

Member of the Policy & Resources Committee with responsibility for External Relations Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq 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.”

 

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.”

On 4^th August, a delegation from Jersey and Guernsey travelled to Granville to witness the largest display of Piper L4 and Cubs aircrafts in Europe since the Second World War. This event took place to commemorate the 75^th anniversary of the Liberation of Europe, with Granville and Jullouville being liberated on 31^st July 1944.

The delegation comprising Guernsey’s President of Policy & Resources, Gavin St Pier, Jersey’s Assistant Chief Minister, Connétable Christopher Taylor, and Deputy of St Martin Steve Luce, attended a gathering with the President of La Manche, Marc Lefèvre, the Mayor of Jullouville, Alain Brière, and the President of Piper Operation Cobra, Philippe Renaudet. This was followed by an air display and exhibition of around 350 vehicles at Jullouville beach.

Granville and Jullouville were selected as locations for this event as the former was home to the main headquarters of the French Forces and the latter was where General Dwight D. Eisenhower (who launched the D-Day operations in June 1944) based his Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) in the Castle De La Mare. There, Eisenhower oversaw as many as 30,000 soldiers involved in the Battle of Normandy and the Battle of France and the airbase was dedicated to the Pipers L4-H.

The delegation was honoured to have taken part in the commemorations remembering the sacrifice of all who fought in the Second World War and those who contributed to the Liberation of Europe in 1944.

 

The 9^th – 15^th July saw Jersey and Guernsey celebrate all things French as Le French Festival took place in the islands. Following on from the highly successful first edition which was held in Jersey in 2017, Guernsey also enjoyed participating in the events for the first time this year.

In Jersey, events included a fantastic performance from Breton juggling duo Les Invendus, an international symposium on Wace, a Norman 12^th century poet born in Jersey, and a traditional Norman market amongst many other festivities.

Guernsey events included an array of creative workshops and exhibitions, and there was a strong focus on French artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s time in the island with the exhibition of a Renoir original painting, followed by a Renoir art walk.

Both islands hosted around 600 sailors competing the 35^th edition of the Tour des Ports de la Manche, the regatta bringing a colourful display of flags and bunting to the harbours. Thanks to a longstanding relationship with Rennes Opera, Jersey and Guernsey were also lucky enough to broadcast a performance of Wagner’s opera, ‘The Flying Dutchman’, which was initially shown in 22 locations throughout Brittany on 13^th June as part of the “Opera on Screens” initiative.

Le French Festival 2019 was a great success and demonstrates the links between the islands and the French culture as a whole.  Thanks to the organising committee and all partners, and “rendez vous” for the next edition in 2021!

On 5^th July 2019, two teachers from the Guernsey Grammar School Sixth Form Centre attended the open day at the University of Caen, following the agreement which was signed by Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq in March supporting the admission of Guernsey students to the Norman university to embark on their higher education.

Newly appointed Head of Careers, Miss Charlee Hales, and coordinator of the school’s annual trip to Caen, Mr Guilhem Chene, attended a meeting with representatives of the university’s language department to catch up on the various training offers to students to improve their level of French, and to implement plans to attract Channel Islands’ students to study in Caen. They also attended a forum which introduced them to the additional services that UniCaen has to offer.

Overall, the day was very positive, and it is hoped that more Guernsey students will take steps to study in Normandy in the years to come.

On 6^th June 2019, many official and non-official events took place throughout Normandy to mark the 75^th anniversary of the D-Day landings. A delegation from Jersey and Guernsey travelled to Normandy to take part in this day of remembrance.

The delegation comprised of Jersey and Guernsey’s Chief Ministers, respectively Senator John Le Fondré and Deputy Gavin St Pier, as well as Ministers for External Relations, Senator Ian Gorst, and Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, alongside the Bailiff of Guernsey, Sir Richard Collas.

In the morning, the delegation attended the British Ecumenical Ceremony at Bayeux Cathedral in the presence of the French Prime Minister, Edouard Philippe, PM Theresa May, and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. A group of D-Day veterans from the Royal British Legion were also present at this ceremony. The attendees then moved to the British Military Ceremony to pay homage to those who fell 75 years ago.

Later in the day, the Channel Islands delegation attended the International Ceremony at Juno Beach in Courseulles-sur-Mer. This was the first time that a ceremony of this kind had been held in the Canadian sector. It took place in the presence of Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and Edouard Philippe.

The Channel Islands delegation were honoured to have taken part in these major commemorations of events that happened very close to the Islands shores. The day offered a chance to reflect on the horrors of 6^th June 1944 and to be thankful for those who sacrificed their lives for the liberty of others.

The 4^th and 5^th June 2019 saw the second annual Normandy World Peace Forum held at the Abbaye Aux Dames in Caen, which was attended by Guernsey’s Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq and Vice President of the States of Alderney, James Dent. This was the third event of this kind at which the Channel Islands were represented as they also attended the preparatory event in 2017.

This year, the forum was on the theme of ‘peacemakers’ and included various conferences and thematic debates on this subject, with a strong emphasis on youth, as well as hosting a Village for Peace. The Channel Island representatives attended debates on combatting the silent weapon of communication technology, and about how the EU could create peace in other continents.

Several recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize gave talks at the forum, including Mohammed El-Baradei (2005 winner), Denis Mulwege (2018 winner), and Jody Williams (1997 winner). The event is particularly symbolic as it was held during the two days before the 75^th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy.

The islands are extremely supportive of this initiative and look forward to future events.

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 Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, 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.

 

Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq has signed an agreement to support the admission of Guernsey students wishing to undertake further education at the University of Caen in Normandy. The agreement aims to facilitate the integration of Guernsey students in the University and to support students wishing to pursue studies abroad.

Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, member of the Policy & Resources Committee with responsibility for External Relations, signed the agreement on behalf of the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture.  The agreement was also signed by Mr Pierre Denise, President of the University of Caen Normandie, Ms. Virginie Catherine, Director of the Regional Centre for University and School Projects, and Mr Jean-Marc Julienne, President of the Joint Association of Normandy and La Manche.

This agreement outlines a number of ways in which support will be provided to Guernsey students who wish to pursue further studies at the University of Caen in order to develop their language skills and benefit from a wide range of courses at a European university. This includes support that will be provided for students undertaking foundation language courses as well as those pursuing Bachelor’s courses.

Improving educational links between the Channel Islands and France also forms a key part of the cooperation agreement that was originally signed between Guernsey, Jersey, the region of Normandy and the department of La Manche in 2015.

 

Jersey is once again represented at a major agricultural show in Paris (23 Feb- 3 March).

The Economic Development Minister, Senator Lyndon Farnham, led a delegation to the Salon International de l’Agriculture (SIA) on Sunday, 24 February. The agricultural show is one of the biggest French agriculture events of the year and provides an opportunity to showcase Jersey’s local produce, to promote the island as a tourist destination, and to strengthen links between Jersey and France.

This is the seventh year that Jersey has exhibited at the show, which attracts more than 600,000 visitors annually.

The department of La Manche is again hosting Jersey on their stand at the event, giving the island a platform to promote local produce and to showcase Jersey as a holiday destination. Visitors to the Jersey area of the Normandy stand are able to see different varieties of daffodils grown in Jersey, and will sample a taste of Genuine Jersey products – including black butter, cider, salted caramel, pork pies, and new locally-produced Biltong. The stand also offers festival-goers the chance to win a trip to the island.

La Manche has welcomed Jersey to share their stand since 2014, and Senator Farnham met President of La Manche, Marc Lefèvre, to renew this partnership for another three year.

Senator Farnham added: “This is a significant yearly opportunity for us to promote Jersey’s products, particularly Jersey Lobster, Jersey Oyster, Jersey Royals and Jersey Dairy: four of our most important agricultural exports. It’s fantastic to have this annual chance to demonstrate our close links with Normandy, and I am delighted to be able to renew this partnership for three more years.”