04 March 2025
Channel Islands Ministers discussed the planned reset in relations between the EU and UK with
senior EU and British diplomats during meetings in Brussels. The discussions took place on the
sidelines of a reception to mark the 15th anniversary of the Channel Islands’ Brussels Office.
The External Relations Ministers of Guernsey and Jersey, Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq and Deputy Ian
Gorst, met with senior diplomats from France, the UK, Poland and Malta. Discussions also included
the Islands’ relationship with France, their closest European neighbour, and promoted the Islands’
financial services interests, noting both Islands’ recent positive MONEYVAL assessments, as well as
developments in sustainable finance.
Ministers also drew attention to the significance of the Islands’ relationship with Europe and spoke to
existing areas of cooperation with Member States.
Speaking after the visit, Jersey’s Minister for External Relations, Deputy Ian Gorst said: “It is more
important than ever, post Brexit, to engage with representatives of European Member States. Direct
engagement with the EU in Brussels is essential to ensure our interests are known and understood. I
look forward to continuing to build on our discussions over the past days through the work of the
Channel Islands Brussels Office.”
Guernsey’s Minister for External Relations, Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq said: “The visit was a key
opportunity to speak with representatives in Brussels and inform them of the interests of the Channel
Islands. Regular engagement with EU partners is an essential part of our long-standing good
neighbour policy. During these meetings I was pleased to discuss our financial services interests as
well as noting the positive MONEYVAL assessment.”
The Ministers’ programme in Brussels included meetings with the Permanent Representatives
(Ambassadors) to the EU of France and Malta, the Polish Political Counsellor, the UK Deputy
Ambassador to the EU, the UK Ambassador to Belgium, and representatives of the Devolved
Administrations and other Third Country offices in Brussels.
The Ministers hosted a reception for partners and stakeholders in Brussels to mark the 15th
anniversary of the Channel Islands Brussels Office, the representative office for the governments of
Guernsey and Jersey to the European Union. They were joined at this event by Jersey’s Director of
Financial and Professional Services, Guernsey’s Director of Finance Sector Development, as well as
representatives from Guernsey Finance and Jersey Finance who collectively promoted the Channel
Islands’ financial services expertise to the European audience.
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