Three-year agreement with Normandy for major French show

JERSEY is to sign a three-year partnership with Normandy to attend one of France’s major agricultural shows.The Paris International Agricultural Show (Salon International de l’Agriculture) which runs between February 22 and March 2, 2014, is one of the world’s largest and most important agricultural shows. Last year it attracted nearly 700,000 people including the French President and other significant politicians.
This will be the third year that Jersey has attended the event. Because of Jersey’s strong links with regional contacts in the Normandy region, the General Council of La Manche offered the Island a place on its stand last year. The Council has extended the invitation again this year.
At the forthcoming event, Jersey and La Manche will formalise the partnership by signing a three-year agreement to take a stand at the show. This should safeguard the partnership in the event of changes to the political landscape in Normandy following elections next year.
Minister for External Relations Senator Sir Philip Bailhache said: ‘We’re delighted to have been invited to form an alliance with La Manche to attend one of France’s most prestigious agricultural shows.
‘Working with the General Council of La Manche accentuates and builds on our existing political, economic and cultural links with Normandy. This in turn fosters relationships at a regional and national level and demonstrates the Island’s broad links with and commitment to France.’
The agreement will be signed by Senator Bailhache and the Président of the La Manche department, Jean Francois Le Grand, at the official opening of the Normandy stand on Sunday 23 February.