News
13 Jun 2024
Visit of Her Excellency Hélène Tréheux-Duchêne to the Channel Islands
The French Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Her Excellency Hélène Tréheux-Duchêne has visited Jersey and Guernsey respectively on the 11 and 12 June. This was the Ambassador’s first official visit to the islands since her appointment in 2022.
Jersey
Left to right: Deputy Ian Gorst, Ambassador Hélène Tréheux-Duchêne, Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham
The agenda for Ambassador Duchêne’s visit in Jersey included a series of high-level meetings with Ministers and senior officials, focusing on education, culture, connectivity, and economic links. Her Excellency had the opportunity to meet with the Chief Minister, Deputy Lyndon Farnham; the Minister for External Relations, Deputy Ian Gorst; the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, Deputy Kirsten Morel, and the Minister for the Environment, Deputy Steve Luce.
During her visit, the Ambassador met Jersey’s Lieutenant-Governor, His Excellency Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd CBE. The Ambassador also had the opportunity to sample a unique Jersey-France dish created as a collaboration between Franco-British Young Leader Gregory Cuilleron and Joe Baker at Petchi. Additionally, she toured Mont Orgueil Castle on the afternoon and attended an official dinner hosted by the Bailiff in the evening.
The Ambassador also toured the Entente Cordiale exhibition at the Société Jersiaise on the morning of 11 June.
Commenting on the Ambassador’s visit, Minister for External Relations, Deputy Ian Gorst said: “I am delighted to welcome Her Excellency, Hélène Duchêne, to Jersey. Our rich history of cultural and people to people links means that France will always be one of Jersey’s closest partners as well as our closest neighbour. This visit is an opportunity to remember our shared past and discuss how we can co-operate even more closely in the future, especially in areas such as renewable energy, education, and trade. As we celebrate 120 years of the Entente Cordiale between Britain and France, what better place to highlight this enduring relationship and look to the future than Jersey.”
Guernesey
Left to right: Chief Minister Lyndon Trott, Ambassador Hélène Tréheux-Duchêne, Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq
On the 12 June, whilst in Guernsey, the Ambassador met the Chief Minister, Deputy Lyndon Trott, and other members of the Policy & Resources Committee, and members of the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure, the Committee for Economic Development and the Committee for Education, Sport and Culture.
Meetings with politicians focussed on the island’s current priorities, energy, trade and the economy, financial services, environmental initiatives and sustainable finance, Guernsey’s relationship with the EU, and the bilateral relationship with France. The Ambassador also visited Hauteville (Victor Hugo) House, Candie Museum and the Priaulx Library during her time in the island to reflect the special cultural links between Guernsey and France.
Deputy Trott said:
“I was delighted to be able to welcome the French Ambassador to Guernsey for her first visit here.
The relationship with France, as our nearest neighbour and regional partner, is vitally important to Guernsey’s government. Discussions during the Ambassador’s time in the island focussed on our historic and existing links and looked to build on those for future opportunities. My political colleagues and I look forward to continuing to engage with Her Excellency and her team at the Embassy in future.”
Ambassador Duchêne’s involvement in the recent D-Day commemorations, including her attendance at the Portsmouth ceremony on 5 June, highlights her commitment to commemorating historical ties. This visit represented an important milestone in reinforcing the deep cultural and historical bonds between the Channel Islands and France, and in fostering ongoing and future co-operation between the neighbours.