Cooperation between Seychelles and South Africa is expected to strengthen, now that our neighbours from the southern tip of the continent have a consulate in Victoria.

Situated in the Eden Plaza building of Eden Island, the consulate was opened on Monday evening by the South African high commissioner Dr Nomwyo Nokwe in the company of Foreign Affairs and Transport Minister Joel Morgan.

Mr Morgan officially installed Rod Thorrington as his country’s first consul to Seychelles.

Mr Morgan described the opening as a historic occasion in the ties between the two countries.

He reminded that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1993, the two countries have signed many agreements and MoUs (memorandums of understanding), resulting in close cooperation in many areas.

These, he added, include trade, air services, tourism among others.

He commented that an air ticket to South Africa can now be bought on Praslin and vice versa.

“This shows that significant progress has been made in all these areas,” he said, adding that “the cooperation will further develop with the opening of the consulate”.

“With Seychelles and South Africa sharing different similarities, it is imperative that we enhance this cooperation. The consulate opens up many opportunities for the future,” the Foreign Affairs minister said.

Dr Nokwe was in agreement that the diplomatic presence “will enhance and strengthen the already warm bilateral relations”.

“We believe that between our two countries there is so much to be done,” she added, citing the blue economy, investment and tourism as opportunities for “a new level of bilateral relations between the two countries”.  

She remarked that many Seychellois tourists fly to South Africa, adding that more South Africans should be encouraged to visit Seychelles.

Dr Nokwe concluded that the presence of a South African consulate will also reinforce regional and multilateral cooperation within organisations such as the Indian Ocean Rim, South African Development Community (SADC), African Union (AU) as well as theOrganisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).

Forrás: www.nation.sc