11 July 2024
Jersey has hosted an annual political summit with the Departmental Council of Ille-et-Vilaine, the
Regional Council of Brittany, and Guernsey.
The summit featured the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the
Ports of Jersey and the Region of Brittany, which aims to develop a sustainable maritime route, or
“green corridor,” between Jersey and St Malo.
The MoU covers the sharing of expertise and studies, decarbonisation plans for maritime transport
companies, and initiatives to be developed in marinas.
The summit was held at Greve de Lecq Barracks and included discussions on regional issues such as
wind farms, sharing information on respective marine spatial plans, and broader political
relationships and areas of mutual interest within Europe and the EU.
The summit also featured a successful artistic residency at Greve de Lecq Barracks, a collaboration
between Art House Jersey, Guernsey Art House, and Les Ateliers du Vent from Rennes, which is
showcased in an exhibition at Capital House.
Matt Thomas, CEO of Ports of Jersey, said: “Ports of Jersey has a clear plan to reduce operational
carbon emissions to net-zero by 2030, and we are pleased to be cooperating with our French
neighbours to establish a zero-emission shipping route between Jersey and St Malo.
“We are already working with airlines and ferry companies to help them decarbonise, and we will
ensure that the redevelopment of Elizabeth Harbour provides the infrastructure needed by future
vessels using renewable or low carbon fuel.”
The Minister for External Relations, Deputy Ian Gorst, said: “We were delighted to host the
annual summit welcoming the Department of Ille-et-Vilaine, and to once again engage with
partners from the regional council of Brittany alongside our Guernsey colleagues.
“Jersey maintains a close and productive relationship with our counterparts in Ille-et-Vilaine,
grounded in our shared history and cultural ties. Since formalising this partnership, we have
enjoyed an increase in activities and projects across various sectors, including culture and
education.”
Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, member of Guernsey’s Policy & Resources Committee with
responsibility for external relations, said: “Guernsey has important existing social and cultural
links with the Department of Ille et Vilaine and this annual summit gives us an opportunity to
review the constructive and varied work carried out by our jurisdictions together during the year on
matters covered by our partnership. The summit also enabled us to reaffirm Guernsey’s continued
support for joint overseas aid projects, through the collaboration of the Overseas Aid &
Development Commission and the department of Ille et Vilaine.
“Our regional links with Brittany are very important to us and I was pleased that following last
year’s signing of the partnership with the regional council of Brittany work has continued and
enabled us to strengthen our connections with our neighbours.“
The President of the Regional Council of Britanny, Loïg Chesnais Girard, said: “Relations with
our close neighbours in the Channel Islands are important for Brittany. We share the same maritime
spaces that we are all keen to preserve and make sustainable use of. Brittany will always choose the
path of dialogue and cooperation.”
The President of the Departmental Council of Ille et Vilaine, Jean-Luc Chenut said: “This
annual meeting with our partners from the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey is an opportunity for
the Department of Ille-et-Vilaine to reaffirm its commitment to international cooperation and the
promotion of links of solidarity between European territories.
“As such, the partnership, which has united the Channel Islands with the Department of Ille-etVilaine for years, is a good illustration of fruitful collaboration between two neighbouring territories
sharing many crossed interests, whether in terms of education, culture, sports practice or even
environmental transition.”
gov.je