The European Union (EU) ambassador to Seychelles, Alessandro Mariani, yesterday paid a farewell call on President James Michel and Vice-President Danny Faure at State House following a four-year tenure.

President James Michel thanked ambassador Mariani for the support and effort he has personally given during his mandate, especially in the fight against piracy, climate change as well as the support extended by various EU-funded programmes within the Indian Ocean Commission, as well as in Seychelles.

“I would like to thank you for all your support during your tenure, particularly your personal commitment to the development of Seychelles and other Indian Ocean island states. The European Union has worked extensively to enhance our country's development in several fields, and we greatly appreciate this partnership,” said President Michel.

Ambassador Mariani expressed his gratitude to the President for the excellent cooperation between Seychelles and the EU, and reviewed some of the significant achievements of this partnership.

“The meeting with President Michel today (yesterday) has been an opportunity to take stock of the excellent relations between Seychelles and the EU, and to take stock of a number of important results we have jointly achieved... The last four years have been important in terms of economic reforms for the country, and the entire international community has recognised the excellent results by Seychelles. There has been a turnaround in the economic structure," said ambassador Mariani.

M Mariani noted that Seychelles and the EU had worked closely in the area of maritime security and piracy, eliminating trade barriers, mitigating climate change, as well as improving prospects for trade through an Interim Economic Partnership Agreement, which will allow Seychelles to maintain full and free (without tax) access to the European markets.

He also added that the introduction of the Schengen visa waiver has allowed Seychellois to travel without visa in the European Union since May 2009.

"I am pleased to have had the opportunity to serve the relations between the European Union and Seychelles at a time which had been extremely important and extremely successful for your country,” said ambassador Mariani.

Mr Mariani furthermore expressed congratulations, on behalf of the European Union, on the celebration of our 20th National Day anniversary. Mr Mariani was based in Mauritius.

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