This is the key to finding a long-term solution to the issue, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy Catherine Ashton said after meeting President James Michel at State House.

Baroness Ashton praised Seychelles’ approach in the fight against pirates in the western Indian Ocean and said: “Seychelles has been very clear in its strategy.”

She added that she recognises and commends the job various countries, organisations and partners are already doing to deter pirates.

After talks she had earlier this week with Kenya, Tanzania and representatives of Somalia’s transitional federal government, she said there is now a real commitment to fight piracy which should be supported by other countries.

Describing her meeting with Mr Michel as good, Baroness Ashton said among the various issues they discussed were how to strengthen the partnership between the EU, the African mainland states and Seychelles and how to support the economic reforms taking place here.

They also spoke about a regional approach to the fight against piracy, which was the subject of a ministerial meeting hosted by Seychelles yesterday afternoon.

She noted that this meeting would discuss both short and long-term strategies to fight piracy and also explore opportunities to encourage regional commitment.

After the meeting with Baroness Ashton, a press release from State House said Mr Michel saluted the “dynamic cooperation efforts” of Seychelles and the EU in the fight against piracy and called on all partners to commit more resources to tackling the situation at international level.

“The dynamic cooperation efforts between Seychelles and the EU have been exemplary, and we have shown how a coordinated approach can be very successful against the pirates,” said Mr Michel.

“The visit of Baroness Ashton is a further mark of the importance of this issue for our European partners, and we look forward to the commitment of more resources to better protect ourselves and our region.”

The President stressed, however, that as long as Somalia remains unstable, piracy will continue to be a problem. Small states such as Seychelles need much more support to ensure regional seaways are safe and economic activity is not disrupted. 
“Seychelles is on the front line of the fight against piracy.  And despite our limited resources, we have done everything within our power to ensure that we protect our waters and offer a meaningful contribution to the international effort to combat piracy,” he said.

“We are grateful for all the support we have received from many partners, but there are still so many resource issues to be addressed before we can adequately control and eventually eradicate piracy.”

Mr Michel noted that the joint efforts of Seychelles and the EU have allowed a strong response to pirate attacks, but there are still many logistical issues concerning the transfer and prosecution of pirates.  

He also stressed that the solution lies not with any single state alone, but rather depends on a coordinated effort from states in the region and their partners, such as the EU, the US, India, China and others. 

“We are also pleased that Baroness Ashton’s visit offers the chance to have an open discussion with partners from the region on how to improve our coordination in the fight against piracy,” he added.

“We are encouraged that several countries in the region have offered a commitment to escalate their support for this fight. We are all in this together.”

On Thursday evening, hours after her arrival in Seychelles, Baroness Ashton was hosted to a reception at State House.