The meeting, an initiative of the consuls themselves, was the first to be held under the auspices of the country’s embassies.  It would also provide constructive input into the bi-annual consuls’ conferences, the next one being planned for October.

A total of seven consuls – Belgium, Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain (2) and Ukraine – attended the meeting, whereas the others from Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Montenegro, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia could not attend, mostly for reasons beyond their control.

 

 Honorary consul general Joan Gaspart Solves from Barcelona helped by providing accommodation at his Brussels Husa President Park Hotel, whilst the Seychelles Tourist Office in Paris – headed by director Bernadette Willemin – co-sponsored the event.

The meeting was seen as an opportunity to work closely with the consuls in the region as well as to coordinate with those outside of the area.

Air Seychelles was also represented by its manager for Public Relations and Communications, Glenn Pillay.

Opening the meeting, Seychelles’ ambassador to the European Union, Barry Faure, thanked the consuls on behalf of President James Michel and Minister for Foreign Affairs Patrick Pillay for coming to Brussels.

He urged them to continue to put to maximum use their expertise, resources, skills and network of contacts at the service of Seychelles, particularly since the country has recently embarked on a new journey as it grapples with its development challenges and external crises such as the impact of the global economic downturn.

“The Seychellois people count on each one of us and on our international partners for understanding, collaboration and support,” he said.

“These are issues that can only spur us to become more resilient and reflect harder on practical ways and means to help Seychelles.”

According to the embassy of Seychelles in Brussels, the meeting finished on an enthusiastic note and the recommendations and conclusions derived from the long discussions will be forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and President’s Office for consideration and approval.

 

Forrás: http://www.seychelles.travel/en/news/display-item.php?newsid=240