Bailiwick politicians have been at another summit – this time discussing ways of working together with peers in France.
Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark were all represented at the talks earlier this week with the regional council of Brittany and departmental council of Ille-et-Vilaine.
Deputies Lindsay de Sausmarez, Steve Falla, Charles Parkison, and Sasha Kazantseva-Miller represented Guernsey with Conseiller Natalie Tighe there on behalf of Sark.
The two summits were chaired respectively by the Vice-President of the regional council of Brittany in charge of international relations, and the President of the departmental council of Ille et Vilaine. The French State was represented by the diplomatic advisor of the Prefect of Brittany.
P&R President, Deputy de Sausmarez said the summits highlighted the continued strength of regional partnerships and the collaborative efforts fostered through the Memorandums of Understanding between Guernsey, Jersey and Brittany and Ille et Vilaine respectively.
“I was very pleased to lead the delegation of Guernsey political representatives who attended the summits in Dinard and Rennes this week. Guernsey’s relationships with Brittany and Ille et Vilaine, underpinned by our respective MoUs, are increasingly important both regionally and strategically. I have been encouraged by the warmth of the welcome and the practical focus of discussions as we further strengthen our links with our closest European neighbour.”
Jersey has worked with the departmental council of Ille et Vilaine for 15 years, with Guernsey joining the partnership in 2017.
Deputy Falla, Policy & Resources Committee Lead for External Relations, will be nurturing the relationship going forward.
“I am honoured to have been so warmly welcomed into my new role for External Relation and the fondness that Guernsey has in Brittany overall as a region. The relationship has flourished despite so much external pressure and change imposed on it in recent years as a result of Brexit. The opportunities for collaboration that we have discussed today are exciting for both our communities and provide so much promise for our shared future.”
The summits included sessions focused on links with Brittany including talks on wind farms, sharing information on respective marine spatial plans, economic development issues, and immigration matters, as well as maritime links covering transport, tourism and yachting. It also provided an opportunity to discuss broader political relationships and areas of mutual interest within Europe and the EU.
Other sessions were dedicated to strengthening ties with Ille et Vilaine. Discussions covered education, youth mobility, culture, arts and overseas aid.
Deputy Kazantseva-Miller, President of the Committee for Economic Development, said this will all help Guernsey’s economy too.
“Developing our tourism and trade links with Brittany will continue to be a running theme and priority for Guernsey’s government and I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the warm welcome and positive response we have received particularly in Saint-Malo but also regionally from regional representatives who have oversight and responsibility for such matters. It’s these relationships which are important in developing our respective mutual aims.”
The Vice-Presidents of the Britanny Region, Stéphane Perrin-Sarzier and Daniel Cueff, welcomed the Bailiwick’s involvement.
“As neighbours and sharing the belief that cooperation is essential to their development, Brittany and the Channel Islands have demonstrated, with Brexit, their ability to maintain sincere and constructive dialogue. We must seize every opportunity to come closer together and forge economic, social, and cultural ties for our coastal communities, whether Breton or Channel Islands. Coordination of maritime spatial planning between the Channel Islands and Brittany is essential and beneficial for all. We welcome the very fruitful discussions we have had.”
Jean Luc Chenut, President of Ille et Vilaine, said: “This year, the Department of Ille-et-Vilaine is honored to welcome delegations from Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark. During a cooperation plenary session, we will take stock of a year rich in exchanges, notably marked by the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the islands, in which our elected officials had the pleasure of participating. Despite a particularly constrained budgetary context, the partnership with Jersey and Guernsey, patiently built over the years, remains strong. The geographical proximity of our territories fosters concrete cooperation on shared issues, at the heart of our common cultures. A precious bond, which demonstrates our desire to foster local diplomacy based on memory, solidarity, and proximity.”