The British-Irish Council established under the 1998 Multi-Party Agreement held its twenty-second Summit meeting today, hosted by the Government of Guernsey Chief Minister Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, in the St Pierre Park Hotel, St Peter Port.

The meeting was attended by Leaders and Ministers from the eight BIC member administrations: the UK and Irish Governments; the devolved administrations of the Scottish and Welsh Governments and Northern Ireland Executive; the Governments of the Isle of Man, Jersey and the host, Guernsey.

The Council discussed the current economic situation in Member Administrations including the various initiatives to stimulate the economy.  Ministers had a detailed discussion on the economic importance of transport links including how the promotion of effective transport links between Member Administrations can be beneficial to their economic development and the strengthening of positive and practical relationships amongst the people of these islands.

The Council received an update of the work ongoing in all twelve BIC work sectors and also reviewed the latest youth employment statistics and welcomed the recent encouraging trends.

Read the full Summit Communiqué