Seychelles and Palau will continue to advance the cause of small island developing states (Sids) internationally and at the same time provide solutions to the world in relation to our needs and special circumstances, said President James Michel when he hosted a cocktail dînatoire in honour Palau President Tommy Remengesau.

Former President James Mancham, Vice-President Danny Faure, ministers, judges, members of the diplomatic corps were among guests at last night’s cocktail held in State House’s Salon d’Accueil.

President Michel said the priorities of Seychelles and Palau are to address the core vulnerability of small island developing states (Sids), to underline the opportunity that the Blue Economy presents to all of us, to continue calling for the need of comprehensive measures to better address the economic development of Sids, including through initiatives addressing our debut.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support to the Seychelles initiative for our debt-swap deal in relation to the financing of climate change. The Paris Club debt buy-back agreement with Seychelles has developed a mechanism which can be emulated by other small island states. We would be more than happy to share our experience with you and other small island nations,” said President Michel.

The President added that in this crucial year where a deal will be negotiated in Paris and which will see the launch of the post-2015 development agenda and the sustainable development goals, we are more determined than ever to make our voices heard.

“We are more determined than ever to continue investing in inter-island partnership, through mutually beneficial programmes of cooperation,” noted President Michel who added that the strong partnership between Seychelles and Palau has demonstrated the exemplary working relationship that the two countries share, especially through their joint chairmanship of the Global Island Partnership (Glispa), through their involvement in the Alliance of Island States (Aosis) and the SAMOA Conference and in other important fora.

The President then toasted to the good health of President Remengesau and to the prosperity of the government and the people of Palau.
President Remengesau said this is his is first time in the Indian Ocean and it seems he has never left home. He said he is truly affected by the show of hospitality, the show of pride of the people of Seychelles, their unity and their desire – all qualities he identifies himself with.

“No country is an island, no matter its size. We island nations must come together as we share the same aspirations the same dreams, the same values.

“The world will listen to us if we band together… We are large ocean states and we should be proud. We often say that our environment is our economy but our economy is our environment. Our environment is our way of life and we should sustain it for our children, their children, their children and their children,” said President Remengesau.

Although he did not make any dancing moves like when he visited the Biodiversity Centre at Barbarons and planted a coco-de-mer seed in the arboretum on Monday, the Palau President was called up by Ngedikes ‘Olai’ Uludong, the Palau ambassador to the European Union/Climate Change to do a short chant. He explained that the song is about rowing in unison to get to our destination and he proudly did it.

The ceremony also comprised cultural performances by Latroup Nasyonal, Antoinette Dodin who performed her song Anzela before teaming up with Judith to sing the song entitled Meyer plas anba Lesyel which earned them top prize in the National Day song contest. Judith also sang Lalimyer dan lakour and was warmly applauded by the guests.

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