Channel Islands want European Union liaison officers

The Channel Islands are advertising for two liaison officers with the European Union, who will be based in Brussels.

The States of Guernsey and Jersey have been working together to establish a liaison with the European Union.

Two jobs will be on offer with the roles starting when the office opens, which is due to be in September.

Jersey's Chief Minister Terry Le Sueur said: "By combining resources, we can establish a small but effective office to represent both our interests."

Guernsey's Chief Minister Lyndon Trott said: "Guernsey and Jersey's domestic success is dependent on their ability to engage and trade with the rest of the world.

"Therefore, Brussels, as the administrative centre of Europe, and a global hub for business and politics, is where we need to be."

Senator Le Sueur said: "Since the EU interests of the islands are well aligned, we can achieve more influence by working together.

"The people appointed will work to ensure that the EU Institutions and key European governments can gain a better understanding of the Channel Islands."

In a joint statement both chief ministers said that despite the islands being outside the EU, the Bailiwick had considerable ties with Europe, notably in terms of trade, customs, airspace and territorial waters.

They added that as international finance centres the islands were likely to be affected by EU reform of financial markets regulation.

Applications for the posts are available on the Guernsey and Jersey government websites and advertisements are being put in local and national newspapers.