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STATEMENTS ON A MATTER OF OFFICIAL RESPONSIBILITY
8. Statement by Chief Minister regarding a proposed Partnership agreement with the Conseil Général de la Manche
8.1 Senator F.H. Walker (The Chief Minister):
Jersey has important and ancient links with the region of Normandy and in the last few years the Conseil Général de la Manche and the States of Jersey have forged much closer working relations. Most recently regular working groups have been established involving political representatives and officials from each administration working together on shared initiatives in 3 areas: commerce and tourism; education, culture and sport; and the environment and waste. In 1995 following the opening of La Maison de la Normandie et de la Manche in St. Helier the States of Jersey opened an office, the Maison de Jersey in Caen, Normandy. Since that time these officers have been the mainstays of our links between Jersey and Normandy. However, in keeping with the development of a modern working relationship the former Maison de Jersey has evolved a wider range of roles and responsibilities. Now renamed the Bureau de Jersey this office represents and promotes Jersey's external interests at a departmental and regional level in Normandy and Brittany with major businesses, chambers of commerce, government departments and multi national institutions such as the Jeux des Iles. The bureau has recently relocated to more appropriate modern premises in the business district of Caen yet it is fully integrated as a satellite office of the States of Jersey, part of the Economic Development Department and electronically linked with the States information technology network. On 5th November in Paris, when I will meet with the President of the Conseil Général de la Manche, Senator Le Grand, it is intended to underpin the close links that Jersey has with la Manche by signing a partnership agreement which aims to formalise, develop and strengthen our economic, cultural and political co-operation. The proposed agreement has been endorsed by the Conseil Général and it is also appropriate to bring this agreement to the notice of the States Assembly. I have attached a copy of the text to the statement for the information of States Members. Any costs involved in co-operative initiatives are to be shared as agreed and there are no significant financial implications arising from this agreement.