Foreign affairs moves towards modern diplomacy
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reviewed its internal structure to move towards a modern and proactive diplomacy.
This was announced by its principal secretary Barry Faure when he presented the new structure to members of the media yesterday at the Maison Quéau de Quinssy, Mont Fleuri.
He said President James Michel, who is also the Foreign Affairs Minister, asked for and approved this restructuring to better respond to the changes in the national and international environment.
“The changes also aimed at streamlining the functions with a view to using our limited resources in a more effective manner,” said Mr Faure.
Among the changes that took effect on February 15 was the setting-up of a new unit in the secretariat, to serve as the ministry’s main focal point to coordinate overseas diplomatic missions and consulates.
Mr Faure said this was done to ensure they get adequate support, with Lalatiana Accouche appointed as the diplomatic attaché at the head of this unit.
A press section has also been created to provide up-to-date and consistent communication between the ministry and other government departments and organisations, as well as with our overseas missions and consulates.
He said this will ensure effective communication to both local and international media, and a press attaché will soon take charge of this section. This will help to make our international politics more vigilant, he added.
Mr Faure also announced the setting-up of a new Protocol, Treaties and Consular Affairs Division with Conrad Mederic as its director general.
Renette Nicette remains as protocol director, and Madimi Koteswara Rao is the legal adviser appointed on a two-year contract.
Mr Faure said this division is vital as there has been an increase in foreign affairs business which has made great demands on protocol.
He also announced the merger of the Bilateral and Multilateral Affairs Divisions, now known as the International Relations Division, with Selby Pillay as its director general.
This change “will create greater synergy between the international portfolios of the ministry and make better use of scarce resources that had been spread out between the two old divisions”, he said.
Mr Faure said the Economic Affairs Division has become the Development and Regional Integration Division with Beryl Samson remaining as director general.
“This division has a new role in coordinating the country’s mid and long-term strategies, to enable us to mobilise international resources,” he added.
The Administration and Finance Division stays the same with Tessie Julienne as its director-general.
Marquise David has taken up the post of technical adviser and Terence Malbrook is to be the project officer in the special project unit, he said.
Mr Malbrook will monitor all projects being done with international partners and build an up-to-date database for follow-ups in case of any problems.
Mr Faure said the ministry will soon move towards an electronic archiving system, to allow authorised staff to get information much faster. They have received help from consular staff in Brussels to set up this system, which will cost $6,000 to put it in place.
He added that the new staff welfare and development fund, along with money from the government, will help train staff to become more effective.
“Our staff reward scheme will also start next month; the best performer will get cash and be eligible for a one-month attachment in one of our embassies abroad,” said Mr Faure.
Also present at the meeting were Jeanette D’Offay, technical adviser and permanent liaison officer with the Indian Ocean Commission, and Philippe Michaud, technical adviser specialising in fisheries and piracy.