Minister for External Relations meets French Ambassador in London

MEDIA RELEASE: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not Bailiwick Express, and the text is reproduced exactly as supplied to us

The Minister for External Relations, Senator Sir Philip Bailhache, met France’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Bernard Emié, in London yesterday (26 September 2013).

The meeting, which took place at the French Embassy in Knightsbridge, was also attended by a senior official from the French Ministry of Finance. These discussions form part of a process aimed at removing Jersey from the French Government’s recently published list of non-cooperative states and territories.

Senator Bailhache said: “Our meeting with the French Ambassador and his officials was friendly and constructive. We discussed the technical criteria that governed the French authorities’ decision to place the Island on their list of non-cooperative jurisdictions. We remain committed to resolving these issues and removing Jersey from the list as quickly as possible.”

Treasury and Resources Minister, Senator Philip Ozouf, added: “I am satisfied that everything possible is being done to attempt to resolve the issues with the French tax authority. I am grateful for the efforts being made by the Minister for External Relations and our officials.”

A further meeting will be held in Paris in early October.