Seychelles-EU ties take new heights

The new ambassador and head of delegation of the European Union (EU) to Seychelles, Marjaana Sall, presented her credentials to President James Michel at State House yesterday morning.

The President congratulated Ambassador Sall on her new appointment and highlighted the long, fruitful cooperation that has existed between Seychelles and the EU in many areas over the years.

He said the government of Seychelles greatly values this partnership and is committed to enhancing it further.

"We are grateful and appreciate the collaboration between Seychelles and the EU, which has been extraordinary in different areas such as in climate change, social and cultural development, maritime security, particularly in piracy among others. The EU has played a significant role in helping us and it is important that we continue this collaboration. Notably, it is through the continued support of the EU that we, the East African region, have been able to fight the menace of piracy," said President Michel.

During the meeting President Michel and Ambassador Sall discussed issues of common interest and value to both Seychelles and the EU in areas such as in sustainable fisheries management, maritime security, trade and investment, climate change, among others. Furthermore, they talked on avenues to broaden their cooperation.

After the accreditation ceremony, Ambassador Sall told the national media that she took the opportunity to congratulate the President and the government of Seychelles for the successful macro-economic reform programme and for taking up the chairmanship for the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia which coordinates efforts to fight piracy in the region as from next year.

She added that the European Union will continue to support and help Seychelles.

"The European Union will stand by the government of Seychelles and provide the assistance it needs, namely through trade facilitation, supporting the implementation of the economic partnership agreement which will provide more than 8 million euros in the next years to come on climate change issues. We will provide 5 million euros to support Seychelles and we will continue with our bilateral programme, namely to provide studies and technical assistance to the government to liberate funding from other partners," said Ambassador Sall.

Also present at the meeting was the President's diplomatic adviser, Ambassador Callixte d'Offay; principal secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Maurice Loustau-Lalanne; EU delegate, Malik Sall; EU head of section for Comoros and Seychelles, Karina Dzialowska; and press and information officer with the delegation of the EU, Corinne Paya.

Forrás: www.nation.sc