VICTORIA, Seychelles, January 29, 2016/APO (African Press Organization)/ —
Ambassador Selby Pillay has presented his credentials to the Federal President of the Swiss Confederation, Johann Schneider- Ammann at a ceremony in the Federal Palace in Bern.
Ambassador Pillay conveyed President James Michel’s warm greetings and congratulations following President Schneider-Ammann’s assumption of office on the 1st of January 2016. The Swiss President reciprocate and also conveyed his congratulations to President Michel following his victory in the Seychelles’ general elections.
President Johann Schneider-Ammann expressed his desire to visit Seychelles and also praised Seychelles’ advocacy role at the COP21, as well as the state’s track record and efforts to combat climate change. The Swiss President also noted with interested to learn more of recent developments in the tourism and fisheries industries; and what would be Seychelles priority as a member of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, and how the Pacte linguistique was being implemented.
Ambassador Pillay took the opportunity to identify avenues of future mutually beneficial cooperation between both Governments and the people of Switzerland. In particular, the possibility of Switzerland providing French instructors for local schools; an idea which President Schneider-Ammann was open to.
During his accreditation visit Ambassador Selby Pillay also has bilateral meetings with Ambassador Anne Lougon-Moulin, Head of the Sub-Saharan Africa Division and Mr Maurizio Salvatori,Deputy Regional Director Desk Officer for Seychelles, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.
Ambassador Pillay expressed his desire for collaboration between the University of Seychelles and institutions in Switzerland at Cantonal level, the need for a modernised Air Services Agreement between the two nations, the need for a Double Taxation Agreement and a targeted approach to increase tourism arrivals from Switzerland.
