16.06.2009 

Signing of cooperation agreement

Seychelles and South Korea yesterday signed an economic and technical cooperation agreement that will increase the number of exchanges between the two countries.

The agreement was signed by Philippe Le Gall, Seychelles’ resident ambassador in China and also non-resident ambassador to Korea, and Yong-Joon Lee, Deputy Minister for Political and Bilateral Affairs.

The pact will also put in place a much-needed framework of reference for all newly initiated projects between the two governments.

It marks a milestone in the history of cooperation between Seychelles and South Korea since diplomatic relations were reopened in 1995. Korea has signed only a few similar agreements with African countries.

During his visit to Seoul, Ambassador Le Gall also met Jin Soo Kim, director-general of South Korea’s African and Middle Eastern Affairs Bureau, and his colleague Sung Soo Choi, director of the Africa Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The two sides discussed the promising new perspectives of cooperation this agreement opens up, in particular regarding Seychelles’ resources, through research and joint ventures in the fields of environment protection and renewable energy.
 
Mr Le Gall is expected to meet the deputy director of the KOREA Exim Bank, Kim Young Kee, and address a number of issues relating to the Korea-Africa Forum of Cooperation scheduled at ministerial level on October 24-25. He has also been invited to visit the headquarters of the KBS-Korea Broadcasting System.

He is accompanied during his meetings and visits by Seychelles’ honorary consul in Seoul, Jeong Dong Chang.