Seychelles has much to offer in helping develop infrastructure in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) – a step the country plans to take as soon as a tripartite agreement is signed.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Paul Adam made this statement after a visit by SADC executive secretary Dr Tomaz A. Salamăo to President James Michel at State House yesterday.

“We came here to acknowledge and appreciate, but also to learn how best we can deepen our cooperation and the role Seychelles can play in regional integration,” said Dr Salamăo.

He said he talked to Mr Michel about three main areas of concern – piracy, trade and infrastructure development in the region.

“Piracy is a major concern for us, for trade and maritime industry of the region. Today it is the Indian Ocean, but tomorrow the whole continent could be affected, and this problem needs urgent attention. We need to find a solution to the problems in Somalia,” said Dr Salomăo.

“I believe that the sooner Africa, the region and the international community come together and find a solution to the phenomenon of piracy the better, so we can use our resources for development instead of to fight piracy.”

A later statement from the President’s Office said Mr Michel stressed the need for members of the SADC, as well as other regional bodies, to take greater responsibility in the fight against piracy, particularly in view of the increasing number of attacks towards the south of the African continent.

“The recent piracy incident which took place near the border of Tanzania and Mozambique is a major alert for the security of the southern African region; all of us in the region are being impacted by the scourge and we must fight it together,” said the President.

On the subject of infrastructure development, it was agreed that Seychelles can play a role in joint programmes to boost information communication technology, maritime and air transport among others.

Mr Adam said the fact that the country is not at war means it can play a major role in that area, adding that Dr Salamăo’s visit gave them a chance to talk about concrete ways through which this can happen.

“We believe that due to the Seychelles’ strategic location there is a lot that we can do to improve and deepen our relationship,” said Dr Salamăo.

He added that although the country has gone through some difficult times it is now doing very well, and that must be appreciated.

“We are all going through difficult times, but what is important to note is that the government has managed to undertake a number of reforms to deal with the fundamentals of the economy,” he said.

“This means Seychelles can play a very important role in the sub-region, the continent and also in the wider world.

“And you can feel from the number of tourists coming to Seychelles in 2010 that people are appreciating the islands as a destination, which is something we have to encourage and support.”

Mr Adam said Dr Salamăo’s visit reflects the growing role Seychelles is playing within the region and one it would like to play in the future.

“I think it also recognises calls we have made recently for more support in the fight against piracy, which has distorted trade and is affecting the peace and security of the region,” he said.

Accompanying Dr Salamăo on his visit to State House was a delegation that included directors for trade, industry, finance and investment.

Seychelles rejoined the SADC in 2007 at its summit in Lusaka, Zambia.

 

Forrás: http://www.nation.sc/