September 10, 2011 -- The ambassador of Spain to Seychelles, Mr Antonio Sanchez Benedito Gaspar, accompanied a high-level delegation from his country to State House, where they met President James Michel for discussions on the threats of piracy.

The delegation, headed by Mr Luis Manuel Cuesta Civis, the secretary general of defence, was in Seychelles to attend the recent two-day conference on piracy and maritime security.

Ambassador Gaspar told the media after the State House visit that President Michel had demonstrated his leadership in the region not only in the fight against piracy but on other issues as well.

"And he has put a lot of emphasis on the importance of having a dynamic partnership between our two countries and we have discussed ways to strengthen our already excellent relations," Mr Gaspar said.

The ambassador described the conference as a very important milestone in the fight against piracy, one with a large number of stakeholders from different sectors taking part - from the private sector, fishing and tourism, to other concerned industries.

Spain has several tuna fishing vessels operating in the western Indian Ocean.

Ambassador Gaspar noted that Seychelles and Spain would continue to cooperate strongly to ensure the security "of our livelihood".

According to Mr Civis the strengthening of bilateral relations would extend from the fight against piracy to the fields of education, training  and exchange of information, among others.