Guernsey and Jersey engage in annual political summits with Brittany and Ille-et-Vilaine
- Representatives from Guernsey and Jersey attended the annual political summits in Dinard and Rennes.
- The meetings aimed to strengthen regional partnerships under existing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).
- Topics discussed included wind farms, economic development, immigration, and cultural ties.
- Guernsey and Jersey signed a new MoU with Brittany in 2023.
- Attendees included political representatives from both Channel Islands, Brittany, and Ille-et-Vilaine.
Representatives from Guernsey and Jersey participated in the annual political summits held this week with the regional council of Brittany and the departmental council of Ille-et-Vilaine, alongside representatives from Alderney and Sark.
The summits are a platform for reinforcing relationships and collaboration through existing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between Guernsey, Jersey, Brittany, and Ille-et-Vilaine.
The summits started with a morning session at the Dinard catering school, where discussions focused on links with Brittany.
Key areas of discussion included wind farms, marine spatial plans, economic development issues, gender immigration matters, and maritime transport links.
In the afternoon, attention shifted towards strengthening connections with Ille-et-Vilaine. Key topics included education, youth mobility, culture, arts, and overseas aid, further enriching the collaborative agenda between the regions.
The summits were chaired by Stéphane Perrin-Sarzier, Vice-President of the regional council of Brittany responsible for international relations, and Jean-Luc Chenut, President of the departmental council of Ille-et-Vilaine.
The French State was represented by the diplomatic advisor to the Prefect of Brittany.
Attendees from the Channel Islands included Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, Deputy Steve Falla, Deputy Charles Parkison, and Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller representing Guernsey; Deputy Kirsten Morel and Deputy Carolyn Labey for Jersey; and Conseiller Natalie Tighe from Sark.
Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, President of the Policy & Resources Committee, said: “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.”
Deputy Steve Falla, Lead for External Relations, noted the enduring nature of the relationship despite challenges and emphasised the promise for future collaboration, stating, “The opportunities for collaboration that we have discussed today are exciting for both our communities and provide so much promise for our shared future.”
Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller highlighted ongoing efforts to develop tourism and trade links with Brittany.
Deputy Kirsten Morel, Minister for Sustainable Economic Development of Jersey, identified the summit as pivotal for reinforcing regional cooperation, saying, “Political relations between Jersey and Brittany are strong and there was a desire at the summit on both sides to take concrete steps towards developing business, sporting and cultural links.”
Jean-Luc Chenut, President of Ille-et-Vilaine, noted the significance of the ongoing partnership and collaboration despite budgetary constraints, insisting that “The geographical proximity of our territories fosters concrete cooperation on shared issues, at the heart of our common cultures.”
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