President James Michel has said our success and achievements, the enthusiasm of the people and the desire they have to work together to move the country forward has made him realise Seychelles is well placed for more victories in the future. 

Speaking in the first En Moman Avek Prezidan interview of the year - broadcast yesterday - he said: "For me the national theme Winning for Seychelles is one that inspires our sense of patriotism and prompts us towards the desire to succeed.

"And if we continue to work together in the coming years, Seychelles will record many victories in many areas."

Giving as an example the success of the economic reforms in just two years, which has earned Seychelles the world's praise and admiration, Mr Michel said all this credit goes to the people, who have worked together.

"This, I believe, is a victory that should make us proud. There is space for more development, which would broaden the victory to bring more growth and a better life for our people," he added.

Referring to the challenges posed by piracy, Mr Michel highlighted the success recorded by our coast guard, despite the fact that it is a very small force with limited resources compared to those of other countries.

"Having succeeded in rescuing our local fishermen from the clutches of pirates on several occasions, they have once again earned us world admiration," he stressed.

"We have shown that we are determined people who persevere and take action when the need arises and are prepared for victory in whatever we do."

Mr Michel said there are various areas where Seychelles has excelled, for example the environment, where the country is ranked first in the world.

"The world recognises our efforts and wisdom in integrating development with the environment in order to create sustainable development," he said.

Mr Michel said Seychelles today has 47% of its territory designated as natural reserves.

"Several of our islands have been declared natural living laboratories, Silhouette and Aldabra among them," he added.

"Our plan is to go further and continue to preserve our ecosystem, not only for our and the world's pride but also for generations to come, as our tourism industry is based on this."

Another of our victories has been in the fact that we succeeded in keeping up the number of visitors to our country in spite of the challenges of the economic reforms, Mr Michel said.

"These are all victories such as we should continue to achieve, but there are other challenges which we should work together to overcome," he said.

Mr Michel cited the challenges of social ills, especially drug-taking, which continues to be a problem and needs the people's concerted effort to defeat.

"For me, each time a drug trafficker is convicted is a victory for Seychelles," he said.

The President said more victories for Seychelles will be won if we create a sense of ownership among our people.

  

He highlighted two important events in the country this year on which people should focus to gain important victories for Seychelles  - the elections and the Indian Ocean Island Games.

Mr Michel said he will be a candidate in the next election, noting that he has brought about a great transformation in the country and needs to continue the work he has started.

He said he is still relying strongly on his previous words: "Judge me on my actions."

"It is up to the people to decide, through the elections, if I should continue the transformation," he added.