FOUR French MPs have visited Guernsey for talks aimed at strengthening the island’s relationship with France.
The delegation, all members of the French National Assembly’s study group for the Channel Islands, held discussions on Guernsey’s Marine Spatial Plan, energy projects, connectivity and the island’s Millennium 2027 celebrations, marking the birth of William the Conqueror.
The visiting MPs were Philippe Gosselin, Bertrand Sorre, former agriculture minister Stephane Travert and Claudia Rouaux. Three represent the Normandy region and one Brittany.
They were welcomed by Policy & Resources president Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, along with deputies Steve Falla, Sasha Kazantseva-Miller, Paul Montague, Chris Blin and Sally Rochester.
The group also visited Victor Hugo’s House, where they were received by French honorary consul Odile Blanchette, and met Bailiff-Designate Jessica Roland. They travelled from Dielette with Manche Iles Express for the day, with the visit coordinated by the Bureau des Iles Anglo-Normandes, the Channel Islands’ regional office in France.
‘Guernsey’s relationship with France is both important and valuable, and this visit provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen our links with French MPs representing neighbouring regions,’ said Deputy de Sausmarez.
She said the talks had included the sustainable management of the marine environment, future energy needs and opportunities to trade.
Deputy Steve Falla, the committee’s external relations lead, said it had been ‘particularly valuable to discuss transport links and economic cooperation’.
Mr Gosselin said the visit, following a similar one to Jersey last year, had ‘shown how strong the links between France and Guernsey are, and more particularly with Normandy and Brittany’.
‘Beyond our close friendship and the strong historical heritage, this proximity is also reinforced by other important topics of common interest such as tourism, trade and much more,’ he said.
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