Cornwall and Brittany sign new pact on energy, culture and tourism

Two Celtic nations sat down together at a festival in France last week and put their names to a fresh promise to keep working side by side.

Cornwall Council and the Region of Brittany have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The agreement sets out how the two will carry on collaborating on matters of common interest, among them culture, renewable energy and tourism.

Councillor Leigh Frost, Leader of Cornwall Council, signed on the opening day of this year’s Lorient Interceltic Festival (Friday, 31 July). It replaces a previous agreement between Cornwall and Brittany, and both sides say it shows their commitment to working together.

Three pillars

The MOU is built around three pillars. The first is culture, taking in heritage, performing arts, visual arts, film and television, and regional languages.

The second is economic and sustainable development, with a particular focus on marine renewable energy, cyber security, transport and tourism.

The third is citizens. Here the aim is to encourage exchanges between learners, children and young people, to improve social contacts, and to support the twinning arrangements that already exist between communities in Cornwall and Brittany.

Marine energy already on the table

The agreement has not been left to sit on a shelf. As a direct result of the MOU, a roundtable on marine renewable energy is being held during the festival in Lorient, bringing together representatives from both Cornwall and Brittany.

Councillor Leigh Frost, Leader of Cornwall Council, said: “I’m delighted to sign this Memorandum of Understanding, which will provide opportunities for us to learn from each other and collaborate on projects that will benefit residents and businesses in both Cornwall and Brittany.

“In a world of growing uncertainty, building and maintaining strong relations with trusted partners, particularly our fellow Celtic nations, is vital.”

📷Cornwall Council Leader, Cllr Leigh Frost, signing a new Memorandum of Understanding alongside Stephane Perrin-Sarzier, Vice-President of Brittany.