The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Mr Sylvestre Radegonde, received today at Maison Quéau de Quinssy a delegation led by Mr Aleksei Gruzdev, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation `and Deputy Head of the World Expo 2030 Moscow Bid Committee.
The Russian Minister presented his country’s candidature to host Expo 2030 in Moscow, and sought Seychelles’ support for the Russian Federation’s bid. The two sides also exchanged views on matters of bilateral cooperation, including tourism.
Discussions also took place on the unfolding situation in Ukraine, with Minister Gruzdev explaining Moscow’s position on the issue, which has gripped the world’s attention since last week.
The Seychelles Foreign Minister pointed out to the Russian delegation, which also included the Ambassador of the Russian Federation, Mr Artyom Kozhin, that, as a peace-loving nation and in line with the principles of our country and of peaceful co-existence, the Republic of Seychelles is firmly opposed to the resolution of conflicts by force and holds that the principles of the UN Charter should be upheld and respected at all times.
Minister Radegonde added that the actions in Ukraine and the unfolding situation there are of concern to Seychelles. He stressed that they pose a grave threat to global security and world peace, with serious ramifications for the entire community of nations.
In this regard, the Republic of Seychelles strongly supports the call of the Chair of the African Union and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission urging the two Parties to establish an immediate ceasefire and to open political negotiations without delay, in order to preserve the world from the consequences of planetary conflict.
Minister Radegonde welcomed the start of talks between the two parties and expressed the hope that they will lead to a rapid cessation of hostilities and to a permanent resolution of the conflict.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism – Foreign Affairs Department, Republic of Seychelles.
