SEYCHELLES ENHANCES ITS PARTNERSHIPS WITH UK, IRELAND AND SINGAPORE

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Press release

2^nd October 2012

SEYCHELLES ENHANCES ITS PARTNERSHIPS WITH UK, IRELAND AND SINGAPORE

In the margins of the United Nations General Assembly, the Seychellois delegation has engaged in discussions with many of its strong bilateral partners.

In a meeting between Seychelles’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jean-Paul Adam and the new Minister of State in The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Mr. Mark Simmonds, the two countries have reviewed the continued strengthening of the two countries links, particularly following President James Michel’s highly successful visit to London in February this year.

In the meeting the two ministers reiterated their commitments to supporting each other’s efforts in the fight against piracy, as illustrated by the establishment of the Regional Anti-Piracy Prosecution and Intelligence Centre (RAPPIC) in Seychelles.  The centre is to be set up using funding provided by the UK Government following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between President James Michel and Prime Minister David Cameron during the London visit.

The Ministers also discussed potential future cooperation between the two countries in the context of the fight against climate change and improving support for Small Island Developing States.

Minister Adam also had extensive discussions with the Deputy Prime Minister, who is also the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Eamonn Gilmore, whereby the long standing solidarity and mutual support that exists between the two countries was once again highlighted.  They also discussed areas in which cooperation could be increased, including in financial services and tourism.

The Minister also engaged in wide-ranging discussions with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Singapore, Mr. K Shanmugam.  The two ministers resolved to work together to share experiences as to island states.  Minister Adam indicated Seychelles’ interest to establish a framework for Seychelles to study Singapore’s development model and how it can be adapted to Seychelles context.  The two ministers also discussed potential strengthening of their partnership in the context of their mutual membership of the Alliance of Small Island Developing States (AOSIS), including through linkages with the Indian Ocean Commission.

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