PORT LOUIS, Mauritius, November 10, 2015/APO (African Press Organization)/ —
During her first visit to Seychelles, Her Excellency Ms Marjaana SALL, Head of Delegation of the European Union (EU) to the Republic of Seychelles met with the President, H.E. Mr James Alix MICHEL at State House.
H.E. Ms Marjaana SALL presented her letter of credentials as the new EU Ambassador.
During her mission, H.E. Ms Marjaana SALL will also meet with Vice President H.E. Mr Danny Faure, H.E. Mr Joël MORGAN, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Transport, H.E. Mr Jean-Paul Adam, Minister for Finance, Trade and Blue Economy, H.E Mr Wallace Cosgrow, Minister for Fisheries and Agriculture, and H.E. Mr Didier Dogley the Minister of Energy, Energy and Climate Change.
The EU has a long standing partnership with the Republic of Seychelles, which dates back to the 1970’s since the LOME I Convention. Cooperation programmes has, since then, successfully been financed and implemented through European Development Funds (EDF). Under the 10th EDF, which ended in 2013, the EU assisted government in the implementation of the IMF-led macroeconomic reform programme. Support was also provided in the education and environmental/climate change fields. The 11th EDF, covering the period 2014-2020, was signed in December 2014 with a focus on addressing the country’s institutional capacity constraints and hence assisting Government in implementing its sustainable development agenda.
Over the years, the EU-Seychelles partnership has broadened beyond development programmes and today encompasses various priorities of common interest and concern. The EU has confirmed its support to Small Island Developing States like Seychelles in addressing key global challenges. The country also benefits from new innovative aid modalities including blending – appropriate for countries of high-income status – where EU grants could leverage financial institutions’ loans for larger and more impactful investments. Seychelles has also access to funding under the 11th EDF regional envelope for the Eastern Africa, Southern Africa and Indian Ocean region.
H.E. Ms SALL said:
– We welcome the longstanding and good relations with the Republic of Seychelles, based on a frank and constructive dialogue. This provides for an excellent foundation on which to build our future partnership – one that is based on our common interest, reciprocal engagement and mutual accountability, in areas such as trade, regional integration, sustainable fisheries, climate change and maritime security.
H.E. Ms SALL also stated:
– I congratulate Government for taking over the chairmanship of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia as from 2016. This is a strong signal of Government’s commitment towards
the fight against piracy in this part of the world. I wish to reiterate the continued support of the EU in the fight against piracy.
The mandate of H.E Ms SALL is to represent the European Union to the Republic of Seychelles for a duration of four years. Her appointment was announced by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the Commission Ms Federica MOGHERINI on 31 August 2015.
