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STATES OF JERSEY
MINISTERIAL VISIT TO BRUSSELS: JUNE 2011
Presented to the States on 11th August 2011 by the Chief Minister
STATES GREFFE
2011 Price code: A R.107
2 REPORT
My time in Brussels provided the opportunity to discuss European matters of interest to Jersey at the highest levels and demonstrate Jersey's willingness to engage positively with our European neighbours.
In my meeting with Sir Kim Darroch, K.C.M.G., the U.K.'s Representative to the European Union, we discussed the wide range of areas in which it was necessary for the Channel Islands to engage with Europe, including shipping and aviation, financial services and taxation, and how the U.K. Representative Office and the Channel Islands Brussels Office will work together.
I later met with members of the Cabinets of José Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Commission, and Algirdas Semeta, Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud. The Cabinets of the European Commission are made up of the most senior political and policy advisors in Europe and it was invaluable to be able to meet and explain how the Islands are affected by European laws and regulations.
In my meeting with a senior advisor to José Manuel Barroso, I explained the wide range of areas in which decisions made in Europe directly affected Islanders, from fisheries and agriculture to data protection and intellectual property. In discussions with one of Algirdas Semeta's senior advisors, I highlighted Jersey's status as a well- regulated, transparent and co-operative jurisdiction meeting the highest international standards, including on anti money laundering and combating terrorist financing.
During the visit I was able to visit the Channel Islands Brussels Office and learn all about the good work they have been doing to represent Jersey and the Channel Islands. We are discussing with our Guernsey counterparts how Members in both Islands can be kept informed of the work being undertaken by the Channel Islands Brussels Office.
Our neighbours in Lower Normandy also have a Brussels office, and I met them to learn more about their activities in Brussels and their project to secure E.U. funding for a pan-European tourist promotion project on the Liberation Route'.
Costs
In line with usual practice, all Ministerial expenses will be published at the end of the year, but in order to increase transparency, I can confirm that the cost of the trip to Brussels was approximately £900. This covered the cost of my travel, accommodation and incidental expenses.
R.107/2011