Chief Ministers in joint EU visit to Brussels

Wednesday 08 January 2014

Chief Minister Ian Gorst and his Guernsey counterpart Peter Harwood, are in Brussels for two days to promote the islands as places to do business.

Over the course of today and tomorrow, they will be meeting senior political advisers to EU Commission President José Manuel Barroso and the Tax Commissioner, Algirdas Semeta. They will also be seeing members of the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs and Internal Market and Consumer Protection committees.

The visit is being coordinated by the joint Channel Islands Brussels Office which was opened in April 2011 to promote the bailiwicks’ interests in Europe and to advise on EU policy matters. The office is jointly funded by taxpayers in both islands, and costs around £800,000 per year to run.

Senator Gorst said it was important that the islands are recognised as positive contributors to the EU economy, and to keep key decision makers in Brussels informed.

“There are opportunities for island businesses to benefit from and contribute to the European economy, and it is through direct engagement in Brussels that we have the best chance of ensuring that both the Channel Islands and Europe can continue to benefit from this relationship," he said.

Deputy Harwood said as many of the decisions made in Brussels had significant impact on the islands, it was vital that those who make and influence those decisions have as full an understanding of the Channel Islands as possible.

“Our message will be simple. We are good, responsible and co-operative neighbours, and want to ensure that our working relationship with the EU reflects that. We have an important part to play in supporting the European growth and economic stability agendas – but to do that, we need to ensure fair access to the EU market place for our businesses,’ he said.