Policy Brief
External Relations
Policy
The Chief Minister’s Ministerial letters , published on 10 August 2022, included a letter to the External Relation Minister, the key part of which said –
I would like you to work to represent our island and improve Jersey's reputation and ties to our closest neighbours.
This includes building relationships with EU partners and navigating the continuing implications of the UK's departure from the EU. I particularly welcome your focus on our southern neighbour, and newer European nations, while maintaining first and foremost our strong ties with the United Kingdom. You will also work to open new markets for Jersey businesses and create opportunities for our key sectors.
As part of a balanced approach, you will work with the Minister for International Development to promote Jersey's unique identity on the global stage.
The Ministerial plans for 2024, published on 19 September 2023, included a chapter for the Minister for External Relations. This listed four priorities -
1. Conducting external relations, concurrently with the Chief Minister, in accordance with the Common Policy on External Relations, as updated and agreed by Ministers in 2022.
2. Continuing to build positive, long-term relationships with Jersey’s external partners to promote and protect the Island’s interests through our international engagement.
3. Improving value for money in the delivery of our public services.
4. Improving the performance of departments and services.
A Common Policy for External Relations was presented to the States Assembly on 15 November 2022. This set out seven principles governing policy –
1. Protect Jersey’s unique constitution, and its domestic and fiscal autonomy.
2. Promote Jersey’s international identity and good reputation as a responsible global actor committed at home and abroad to the rule of law, international standards, and respect for internationally recognised human and labour rights including racial, gender and LGBTQ+ equality.
3. Serve Jersey’s best economic interests by promoting a strong, diversified and internationally-connected economy, safeguarding its competitive position as a platform for global business and promoting growth through trade and investment.
4. Promote Jersey’s island identity abroad, together with a greater spirit of international awareness at home.
5. Join with other jurisdictions and delivery partners in supporting sustainable development and poverty reduction in developing countries, and in providing assistance to victims of natural disasters, persecution and conflict.
6. Ensure Jersey’s international engagement maximises opportunities for our children and young people, helping to broaden aspiration and ambition, while fostering increased awareness of how external developments can impact Jersey’s prosperity and success.
7. Advance Jersey’s objectives in the areas of climate change and sustainability through international engagement, and with reference to efforts to achieve domestic carbon neutrality.
The policy then identified 18 specific areas of activity -
- Jersey will maintain positive relations with the Bailiwick of Guernsey and with the Isle of Man.
- Jersey will continue to engage positively with the Government of the United Kingdom.
- Jersey will continue to develop and enhance relations with France.
- Jersey will also endeavour to maintain positive bilateral relations with other European nations.
- Jersey will participate actively in the British-Irish Council.
- The Council of Ministers will support the work of Members of the States Assembly with the Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie, the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
- Jersey will work to develop and enhance relations with the institutions of the European Union.
- Jersey will seek to participate to the fullest extent advantageous to the island in free trade agreements.
- Jersey will work with the UK and other governments to collaborate on areas of mutual opportunity and challenge.
- Jersey will seek to sustain a strong international profile that reflects the inherent value of Jersey’s global connectivity.
- Jersey will work to develop its own bilateral partnerships outside the United Kingdom and European Union.
- Jersey will seek to engage with multilateral and plurilateral institutions.
13. Jersey will actively participate in international efforts to tackle climate change.
14. Jersey will implement United Nations and United Kingdom sanctions to counter actions or policies that threaten international peace and security, human rights, respect for democratic principles or the international rule of law; or to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism and the financing of proliferation.
15. Jersey will support provision of Mutual Legal Assistance to and in the lawful recovery and return and/or sharing of forfeited or confiscated assets, where reciprocal agreements exist.
16. The Minister for International Development, through the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission, will engage in poverty reduction and capacity building activities in developing countries, and will undertake technical assistance.
17. Jersey will undertake international engagement to maximise opportunities for our children and young people.
18. Jersey will promote cultural, heritage and sporting relations with overseas partners.
Further information
External relations page of the gov.je website
