President Michel at Commonwealth leaders’ meeting
President James Michel travels to Sri Lanka this week to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which will be opened by His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales.
In Colombo, President Michel will join the leaders of the 54-member Commonwealth organisation for a summit under the theme ‘Growth with Equity: Inclusive Development’.
The threat of climate change to small island states as well as the development of the blue economy by island states and coastal states are expected to be topics of the President’s discussion with other world leaders.
The meeting will also be attended by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Paul Adam, Seychelles’ high commissioner to the United Kingdom Marie-Pierre Lloyd, and Seychelles’ high commissioner accredited to Sri Lanka, Waven William.
The CHOGM is for the most part conducted in closed-session meetings and is a forum to pursue trade and investment opportunities, to reinforce people-to-people links between Commonwealth leaders and businesses, as well as an opportunity to promote shared values and ideals.
In his last En Moman Avek Prezidan interview, President Michel gave his comments on reports that various countries were boycotting the CHOGM.
He said coming out of a civil war which has lasted almost 27 years, there is bound to be a lot of atrocities possibly committed by both sides as well as a lot of bitterness around all that has happened. But finally the war has ended and the country has embarked on a programme to rehabilitate devastated areas and allow all citizens to take part in the country’s development process.
“I believe the solution is not in boycotting Sri Lanka but in working with the country to ensure the healing process of the 27-year war continues. I believe the international community should help Sri Lanka step up its rehabilitation process and ensure people affected by the war regain their rights and dignity as soon as possible but Sri Lanka is on the right track and should be encouraged,” said President Michel, adding that this is Seychelles’ position noting that boycotting will cause no good but more wrong.
At this point the President is calling for a national reconciliation where everyone and those affected work together to rebuild the country because nothing is achieved through wars but through peace and harmony and where differences are discussed and agreements found in order to move on for the betterment of a country and its people.
“The future is in working together,” said President Michel.
Asked about his expectations for Seychelles at this meeting, Mr Michel said it is a forum for leaders of member countries to discuss issues concerning them, exchange ideas to promote democracy, good governance and understanding between them.
“It is a good opportunity for leaders to discuss the future and as a grouping explore ways to speak in one strong voice in other world fora”.
“Seychelles will use the meeting to promote the need for small island states to develop their heritage and it is in their advantage to support and promote the idea,” said the President, adding that it is on this basis that this meeting will be a very important one apart from just being a meeting for heads of government held every two years.
In Colombo, President Michel will join the leaders of the 54-member Commonwealth organisation for a summit under the theme ‘Growth with Equity: Inclusive Development’.
The threat of climate change to small island states as well as the development of the blue economy by island states and coastal states are expected to be topics of the President’s discussion with other world leaders.
The meeting will also be attended by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Paul Adam, Seychelles’ high commissioner to the United Kingdom Marie-Pierre Lloyd, and Seychelles’ high commissioner accredited to Sri Lanka, Waven William.
The CHOGM is for the most part conducted in closed-session meetings and is a forum to pursue trade and investment opportunities, to reinforce people-to-people links between Commonwealth leaders and businesses, as well as an opportunity to promote shared values and ideals.
In his last En Moman Avek Prezidan interview, President Michel gave his comments on reports that various countries were boycotting the CHOGM.
He said coming out of a civil war which has lasted almost 27 years, there is bound to be a lot of atrocities possibly committed by both sides as well as a lot of bitterness around all that has happened. But finally the war has ended and the country has embarked on a programme to rehabilitate devastated areas and allow all citizens to take part in the country’s development process.
“I believe the solution is not in boycotting Sri Lanka but in working with the country to ensure the healing process of the 27-year war continues. I believe the international community should help Sri Lanka step up its rehabilitation process and ensure people affected by the war regain their rights and dignity as soon as possible but Sri Lanka is on the right track and should be encouraged,” said President Michel, adding that this is Seychelles’ position noting that boycotting will cause no good but more wrong.
At this point the President is calling for a national reconciliation where everyone and those affected work together to rebuild the country because nothing is achieved through wars but through peace and harmony and where differences are discussed and agreements found in order to move on for the betterment of a country and its people.
“The future is in working together,” said President Michel.
Asked about his expectations for Seychelles at this meeting, Mr Michel said it is a forum for leaders of member countries to discuss issues concerning them, exchange ideas to promote democracy, good governance and understanding between them.
“It is a good opportunity for leaders to discuss the future and as a grouping explore ways to speak in one strong voice in other world fora”.
“Seychelles will use the meeting to promote the need for small island states to develop their heritage and it is in their advantage to support and promote the idea,” said the President, adding that it is on this basis that this meeting will be a very important one apart from just being a meeting for heads of government held every two years.
Forrás: www.nation.sc