A very productive week for the new EU Ambassador to the Republic of Seychelles : Presentation of his letters of credence and 10th EU-Seychelles Political Dialogue

H.E.Mr Oskar BENEDIKT is the new Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Seychelles.

He presented his letters of credence to the President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr Wavel Ramkalawan during a ceremony held on 3 October at State House. After the ceremony, he met with the President to exchange on the EU-Seychelles partnership and challenges ahead.

H.E.Mr Oskar BENEDIKT also co-chaired with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Mr Sylvestre Radegonde, the 10^th Seychelles-EU Political Dialogue. The Dialogue, which gathered seven Ministers as well as ambassadors and representatives from ten EU Member Statesand European Union Naval Force Operation ATALANTA (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA), allowed the EU and Seychelles to exchange views on a broad range of issues of mutual interest and agreed to enhance their cooperation in the areas of maritime security, sustainable ocean management and fisheries, trade and investment as well as climate change and environmental protection.

In his opening statement, H.E. Mr Oskar Benedikt said: "The EU and Seychelles have been close partners over many years, supporting each other. I am grateful we once again had a fruitful and honest exchange. The EU and its Member States remain key partners for Seychelles, in terms of tourism, investments and trade, fisheries, maritime security and the protection of the ocean and its resources. We have taken stock of progress of our cooperation in these areas, based on our joint agreements and our shared values of rule of law and democracy, multilateralism, and human rights."

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Mr Sylvestre Radegonde, stated: "Le 10ème dialogue politique Seychelles-Union Européenne n'est pas seulement une étape importante ; c'est un témoignage de l'amitié durable et des aspirations partagées entre nous. Profitons de cette occasion pour réaffirmer notre attachement aux valeurs qui nous lient, pour renouveler notre détermination à relever les défis pressants de notre époque et pour tracer la voie d'une prospérité partagée et d'un développement durable."

H.E. Mr Oskar Benedikt and the ambassadors and representatives from Member States and EUNAVFOR ATALANTA also had a debriefing session with the President after the Political Dialogue. The newly accredited EU Ambassadoralso held bilateral meetings with the Vice-President, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Leader of Opposition, the Minister for Fisheries and the Blue economy, the Minister for Finance, National Planning & Trade, the Minister for Transport, the Minister for Investment, Entrepreneurship and Industry as well as with representatives from the civil society. A visit to the port of Victoria and to the Regional Coordination Operational Center for maritime security, as well as discussions with the Seychelles Port Authority were also part of the programme.

Mr Benedikt has been nominated by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/ Vice President of the European Commission, Mr Josep Borrell for a four-year mandate. He will be based in Mauritius.