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Guernsey hosted visitors from Jersey and the Normandy region as further agreements were signed for even more co-operation between the jurisdictions.
The annual political summit between Guernsey, Jersey, the region of Normandy and the department of La Manche last week, followed the signing of a cooperation agreement in 2015 which was designed to "promote greater partnership working between the three jurisdictions."
While a cooperation agreement was first signed with Jersey, La Manche and the region of Lower Normandy in January of that year, 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 with visits to a number of local attractions also organised for the visitors last week.
Annual political summit between @Govgg @StatesofJersey @MancheCD50 @RegionNormandie alongside @Prefecture50 @States_Alderney @Sark_Island in Guernsey last Friday pic.twitter.com/qABDnSMpPG
— BIAN (@Bian_France) October 7, 2018
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. Various subjects were discussed including educational links, cultural initiatives, economic opportunities, Brexit and its implications for the Channel Islands.
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.
Pictured: Dr Jason Monaghan on the right, signing the cultural agreement on behalf of Guernsey.
Deputy Le Tocq said the summit was a success and will continue to offer new joint opportunities to all of the regions.
“It was a pleasure for me to host the annual summit of the governments of Guernsey andJersey 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," he said.
"At this time of global change, as the negotiations for the UK’s withdrawal from the EUcontinue, 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.”
Pictured top: The delegates gathered during the summit in Guernsey.
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