Guernsey Concludes Successful Brussels Meetings

by Jason Gorringe, Tax-News.com, London

14 September 2010

Guernsey’s Chief Minister, Lyndon Trott has returned from a series of meetings with European Commission decision makers in Brussels.

On September 7-8, Trott met with a number of key individuals in the European Commission during 14 scheduled meetings to discuss issues of direct importance to Guernsey’s economy, including financial services, tax policy, and the role of so-called “third countries” such as Guernsey. Trott also said that the meetings gave him an opportunity to promote the forthcoming Channel Islands’ Brussels office, which is being set up in partnership with neighbouring Jersey.

Commenting on the two-day visit, Trott said: “This was an extremely useful and important set of meetings. Decisions are made in Brussels which have a direct impact on us, so it is vital we make our voice heard and put our case forward effectively. That is what the previous two days have been all about.”

The Chief Minister’s meetings included sessions with senior officials from the Directorate-General for Internal Market and Services, whose role is to co-ordinate the European Commission’s policy on the free movement of goods, services and capital within the EU.

Meetings also included briefings with Hungarian officials on their agenda for next EU Presidency, which Hungary will hold from January 2011, a session with EU President Barroso’s political advisers, and briefings with UK and Scottish government representatives present in Brussels.

“These meetings are an important part of protecting our interests on the European economic and political stage. We are influencing the policies and thinking that will have a direct impact on the issues that are relevant to Guernsey’s future,” Trott concluded.

Recommended