Guernsey has hosted the annual political summit with Jersey, the region of Normandy and the department of La Manche following the signing of a cooperation agreement to promote greater partnership working between the jurisdictions.
This year’s summit included discussions of topics included areas of regional cooperation such as educational links; cultural initiatives; and economic opportunities. Brexit and its implications for the Channel Islands was also discussed.
A cooperation agreement was first signed with Jersey, 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, Guernsey hosted the political summit for the first time.
Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, member of the Policy & Resources Committee with responsibility for External Relations, Senator John Le Fondré, Chief Minister of Jersey, Hervé Morin, President of the Region of Normandy and Marc Lefèvre, President of the Conseil Départemental of La Manche, jointly chaired the summit.
As part of the visit, an agreement was also signed between Guernsey Museums, Jersey Heritage and the Fabrique du Patrimoine in Normandy to provide the opportunity for exchanges to take place between the museums and for common projects to be undertaken.
Member of the Policy & Resources Committee with responsibility for External Relations Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq said: “It was a pleasure for me to host the annual summit of the governments of Guernsey and Jersey and the authorities of Normandy and La Manche for the first time. Guernsey has important cultural, historic and social links with Normandy, and our cooperation agreement allows us to strengthen these links and to discuss new areas for potential joint working with some of our closest neighbours.
“At this time of global change, as the negotiations for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU continue, it is imperative for Guernsey to continue to strengthen and develop its own existing relationships, and the cooperation agreement that we have is an important factor in facilitating this work. The recent signing of an agreement on educational cooperation with Normandy is an example of how the cooperation agreement is leading to the development of concrete, joint projects that can provide benefits to both our jurisdictions.
“I look forward to continuing to work together with Normandy and La Manche to strengthen our relationship in ways that will benefit islanders and Normans alike. We do all this of course alongside our sister Bailiwick, Jersey, with whom we share permanent representation in France through our Bureau des Îles Anglo-Normandes based in Caen, as our interests are greatly aligned in these areas.”
The Chief Minister of Jersey, Senator John Le Fondré commented: “I was delighted to attend my first political summit with the representatives of Guernsey, Normandy and La Manche.. The Government of Jersey place substantial value on our enduring relationship with our neighbours in Normandy, and we have seen real benefits for our Islanders and all the parties since the signing of the first cooperation agreement in 2015. I look forward to even closer partnership within the region as the Brexit negotiations reach their completion.
“I would like to thank Guernsey colleagues for hosting this Summit and for their continued commitment to working together, as the Channel Islands, to engage with our European partners.”
The next summit will be hosted in the department of La Manche in 2019.
