TIES between Jersey and its namesake US state have been “strengthened” during a minister’s recent trip across the pond, the government has said.
Assistant External Relations Minister Carolyn Labey was in New Jersey recently and described it as a “very productive first official visit”.
She met New Jersey governor Phil Murphy at the 109th New Jersey League of Municipalities Conference, which brings together all 564 municipalities of New Jersey, and was the first Jersey minister to attend the event.
Deputy labey also visited Princeton University to consider educational partnerships between the two jurisdictions, was interviewed on US cable channel Comcast and spoke about her experience as a woman in government on a panel chaired by Clinton mayor Janice Kovach.
In her capacity as International Development Minister and chair of Jersey Overseas Aid, Deputy Labey also met Joyce Msuya, assistant under-secretary general of the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and Sophie Sirtaine, chief executive of CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) which uses financial inclusion to improve the lives of those in need.
She also met “many officials” under the administration of the Mayor of Trenton, Reed Gusciora, who has visited the Island on several occasions, including Liberation Day celebrations and the unveiling of Trenton Square in the International Finance Centre in 2019.
In a blog post entitled “Old Jersey Meets New”, which Deputy Labey wrote following her trip, she said that she had received a “warm welcome” and was “excited” to further the relationship in the future.
“As Assistant External Relations Minister, with responsibility for growing Jersey’s ties with the state of New Jersey, I have just returned from a very productive first official visit.
“This was the first time that a representative of the ‘original’ Jersey met one of the 50 elected officials responsible for the government of the American states, and I was delighted to receive such a positive welcome,” her blog continued.
“It was an extremely busy few days meeting representatives from across the state. I gave a speech to mayors from across New Jersey and discussed the origins of our historic ties, as well as our desire to grow commercial, social and cultural links in the future.”
The blog concluded: “As a government, we have a vital role to play in facilitating relationship building, and providing opportunities for young people, local organisations and businesses to prosper with America and beyond.
“This visit was my first to the US as a minister and forms part of a concerted effort to grow international ties.
“I firmly believe in the importance of continuing these efforts and the people I met were all enthusiastic to forge closer bonds with Jersey. They had a range of ideas on how to progress them, which I am excited to take forward.”
