09 July 2009
A delegation from Normandy arrives in Jersey on Thursday 9 July to sustain the close links forged with the region when the States of Jersey signed a partnership agreement with the Conseil General de la Manche in November last year.
The agreement, signed in Paris by Senator Frank Walker and the Conseil’s President, Senator Jean-Francois Le Grand, formalised the strong economic, cultural and political co-operation that has long existed between Jersey and the La Manche region of Normandy.
Senator Le Grand will be leading tomorrow’s delegation of six elected members and a number of officials. He will be accompanying the Préfet de la Manche, Monsieur Jean-Pierre Laflaquiere, who will be meeting Jersey’s Chief Minister and visiting Government House during his stay. This is believed to be the first visit to Jersey by a Préfet, who is appointed by the President of France and represents the State in La Manche.
Jersey has long-standing links with Normandy, and regular working groups have been established, which meet to discuss issues of mutual interest. The groups include political representatives and officials from each administration, and they discuss issues like maritime links, nuclear energy, trade with Granville and twinning.
A party of nine States of Jersey members, together with officers, business and community representatives will spend the day with their French counterparts in St Helier.
The delegates will split into small working groups of 14-20 to discuss specific proposals including school exchanges and video conferencing, promotion of sports and cultural events and environmental topics such as coastal erosion, wind farms and tidal power.
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Notes to Editors:
For further information, please contact Kevin Lemasney on 448861 or 07797 783457
1. If you’d like to photograph/film/interview the delegates before they leave, you can meet them between 17.15-17.40 at the Albert Terminal.
2. There will also be a chance for photos/filming of a lunchtime presentation at the Jersey Museum brasserie between 2pm and 2.30pm. It will be difficult to get interviews at that time, as the participants will be busy. But the Préfet and Senator Le Grand will be there, as will Senator Terry Le Sueur.
3. A biography of the Préfet de la Manche, which includes details about his role, is attached.
gov.je