His Excellency Pedro Serrano, a Spanish career diplomat, who has been an EU official since 2003, headed to the island for a packed 24-hour itinerary straight from a visit to Jersey, and having recently visited the Isle of Man. This included firing the noon day gun at Castle Cornet yesterday.
‘I wanted to visit the Crown Dependencies,’ he said. ‘I think the relationship between the EU and the UK has changed a lot in the last months, which opens new opportunities. I wanted to understand how it is being perceived in Jersey and in Guernsey.
‘I think both islands have a very European feel, but of course – they’re a part of Europe – as is the UK. So we’re all part of the same continent and we’re facing very complex times.
‘We have war that has returned to the continent – these islands know a lot about war – and we have to stick together and work together to face those challenges.’
His Excellency said the financial industry was an important part of the Guernsey economy, and that the island respected the standards set up by the Financial Action Task force.
Asked whether some EU leaders and countries viewed Guernsey as a tax haven, he said that it was not for him to judge the supposed perceptions of other leaders.
And on whether Guernsey had anything to fear from the EU, he said that Guernsey had nothing to fear, and instead the EU offered opportunities.
‘The European Union is an opportunity for Guernsey,’ he said.
‘If anything, what the EU can provide is greater energy security, food security and security over all.
‘The security of Guernsey will very much depend on the success of Europe. And the success of Europe requires a successful European Union. Of course, the UK is responsible directly for the island’s security – but it is the strong relationship between the EU and the UK that is going to bring that European security we need so much.’
During his one-night stay, Mr Serrano met representatives from the local business community to discuss existing trade links, particularly in relation to financial services.
He also met local politicians to discuss several matters including the current UK-EU reset negotiations and their implications for Guernsey.
‘I would say the EU and UK relationship is currently in a very good state,’ he said.
‘But we think there are possibilities of building a stronger relationship that respects the Brexit decisions – that may help overcome some of the difficulties, or challenges, that Brexit has given way to. We’ll have another summit next year and will continue strengthening those relationships.’
He said there were constant exchanges between the UK and the EU. They include cooperation on Ukraine and the Middle East, agreements that will bring greater revenues to British and EU farmers, and increased exchanges between their young people, via exchange programmes and with the possibility of the UK joining the European Erasmus Plus programme for universities, schools and vocational training centres.
‘We’re currently working on the association of the UK to the Security Action for Europe, which is a financial instrument, which will bring up 150 billion euros for joint procurement on defence equipment.
‘So I think the relationship, which is based already on a strong trading cooperation agreement, is a very intense, very important relationship that is becoming even closer.
‘I think that’s what we have to achieve – a very close brotherly or sisterly relationship.
‘I am very optimistic that things are moving in the right direction.’
Mr Serrano’s visit was the first ever to the island from an EU Ambassador.
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