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Guernsey's senior politicians have been for different meetings in Europe this week as Brexit continues to dominate international headlines.
Deputy Gavin St Pier joined his Jersey equivalent in Brussels last week to promote the Channel Islands’ interests ahead of Brexit, and to underline the changes that the islands have recently made to meet EU concerns on economic substance.
Our Chief Minister and Jersey’s External Relations Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, had a series of meetings with EU representatives including Ambassadors of the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Denmark and Malta and with senior officials from Germany and the UK to discuss the potential impacts of Brexit on the Channel Islands.
They've said the meetings also provided an opportunity to discuss tax matters, and to register the islands’ concern over the recent inclusion of Jersey and Guernsey on the Dutch national blacklist.
Pleased @Ian_Gorst and I have today had opportunity for further dialogue and engagement with Commissioner @pierremoscovici ‘s Cabinet. Irrespective of how Brexit story develops, our jurisdictions are committed to maintaining co-operation and strong relationships across Europe. pic.twitter.com/R8DMTOKyYJ
— Gavin St Pier (@gavinstpier) January 25, 2019
Deputy St Pier said: “I was pleased to once again represent Guernsey on this well-timed visit to Brussels, which provided the opportunity for more constructive engagement with EU Member States. With the current political uncertainty within the UK, and the ongoing work to prepare for different possible outcomes in the next few months, we are continuing to prepare ourselves to strengthen Guernsey’s relationships within the EU after the UK has left. This includes the recent announcement that the Guernsey settled status scheme will be offered free of charge, regardless of the outcome.
“Guernsey has important economic links with the EU, and we have worked extensively with the European Commission throughout 2018 on matters including concerns relating to economic substance. I am pleased that our positive engagement and cooperation with the EU throughout this process has been recognised and welcomed, and look forward to continuing this dialoguewith our European neighbours in the future.”
Earlier last week, representatives from Guernsey and Jersey also made official visits to Paris for a series of political meetings with key ministries of the French national government, as well as members of the French National Assembly and the Senate.
The Channel Islands delegation was led by Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, as Member of the Policy & Resources Committee with responsibility for External Relations, along with Jersey's Minister for External Relations, Senator Ian Gorst.
They had meetings at the Ministry for Economy and Finance, and at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, including with Minister for European Affairs, Nathalie Loiseau. They were welcomed to Paris by Philippe Gosselin, President of the French National Assembly’s Study Group on the Channel Islands, and other members of the parliamentary group from across the Assembly. Meetings also took place with French Senators including the Chair of the European Affairs Commission, Jean Bizet, former Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Stéphane Travert, and Chair of the Law Commission and former President of the departmental council of La Manche, Philippe Bas.
The meetings provided an opportunity to increase awareness amongst key stakeholders in Paris of the Channel Islands’ position and priorities in relation to the UK’s upcoming departure from the European Union. Discussions covered topics including maritime matters and territorial seas, the important regional links that exist with Normandy and Brittany, and efforts to enhance relations with the central administration in Paris. Ministers highlighted the Channel Islands’ desire to maintain positive relationships with France and its other European partners, and to continue our close co-operation in a wide range of areas
Guernsey and Jersey have cooperation agreements in place with Normandy-La Manche and the department of Ille et Vilaine in Brittany to promote greater partnership working between the jurisdictions. These regional agreements support the development of relations with the national administration in Paris, and are important in demonstrating the strength of the Channel Islands’ close historic ties with France.
Yesterday at the Quai d’Orsay with French Minister for European Affairs @NathalieLoiseau for constructive talks around Brexit and our ongoing relationship with France & the EU pic.twitter.com/3pPuezHWrT
— Jonathan Le Tocq (@letocq) January 23, 2019
Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq said:
“Guernsey has important regional links with Normandy and Brittany, which aresupported through our cooperation agreements which have been in place for a number of years. These cooperation agreements recognise and support the existing historic, social, cultural and economic links that we have with our closest neighbours.
"As the uncertainty surrounding the manner of the UK’s exit from the EU and thepotential future relationship continues, it is more important than ever that Guernsey works to build on these regional relationships and strengthen our direct engagement with the EU, in particular France, to ensure that our constitutional position is understood and to enable us to develop closer links in areas where we share common interests. 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: Deputy St Pier in France last week.
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