Bureau des Îles Anglo-Normandes

This year, Jersey has hosted the annual political summit with the departmental council of Ille-et-Vilaine, and the regional council of Brittany alongside Guernsey.

This summit, held at Greve de Lecq Barracks, highlighted the continued strength of these regional partnerships and the collaborative efforts fostered through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Jersey has benefited from fifteen years of joint working with the departmental council, while Guernsey joined the partnership in 2017. The MoU facilitates cooperation in numerous areas, including education, youth mobility, culture, arts, overseas aid, transport, and trade.

The MoU with Brittany, signed last year, encompasses economic development issues, education, and training, as well as maritime links covering transport, tourism, and relationships between ports and marine renewable energies.

On the morning of the 10 July, was held a session focused on links with Ille-et-Vilaine. A notable highlight was the successful artistic residency at Greve de Lecq Barracks, a collaboration between Art House Jersey, Guernsey Art House, and Les Ateliers du Vent from Rennes. Delegates previewed an exhibition at Capital House, showcasing the outcomes of it, with the official opening scheduled for 11 July.

The afternoon session was dedicated to strengthening ties with Brittany. Discussions covered various regional issues, including topics such as wind farms, sharing information on respective marine spatial plans, and broader political relationships and areas of mutual interest within Europe and the EU.

A key highlight of the day was the signing of a new MoU between the Ports of Jersey and the Region of Brittany. This agreement aims to develop a sustainable maritime route, or “green corridor,” between Jersey and St Malo. The MoU covers the sharing of expertise and studies, decarbonisation plans for maritime transport companies, and initiatives to be developed in marinas.

The summit was co-chaired by Deputy Gorst, Minister of External Relations and Deputy Morel, Minister of State for Economic Development. Attendees included Deputy Lyndon Farnham, Jersey’s Chief Minister as well as Deputy Le Tocq, President of the Committee for External relations in Guernsey. From the Ille-et-Vilaine department came Jean-Luc Chenut, President of the departmental council, his Vice-President in charge of Cultural Matters Denez Marchand, his councillor Michèle Motel, in charge of the relationship with the Channel Islands and Charlotte Faillé Part of the opposition party. On the Region’s side we could find Daniel Cueff, Vice-President in charge of maritime and coastal affairs, and Stéphane Perrin-Sarzier, Vice-President in charge of International Relations.

From left to right : Deputy Kirsten Morel (Jersey), Michèle Motel (Departmental Council), Denez Marchand (Departmental Council), Stéphane Perrin-Sarzier (Region), Jean-Luc Chenut (Departmental Council), Daniel Cueff (Region), Charlotte Faillé (Departmental Council), Deputy Lyndon Farnham (Jersey), Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq (Guernsey) and Deputy Ian Gorst (Jersey)