President James Michel, the Commander-in-Chief of the Seychelles People's Defence Forces, officially opened the new Seychelles Coast Guard Base at Ile Perseverance yesterday morning.

The President unveiled the Seychelles Coast Guard Base plaque, which was witnessed by Deputy Chief of Staff of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, Major General Eissa Saif Mohammed Al-Mazrouiy, the UAE Ambassador to Seychelles, Mr. Mallallah Mubarak Al-Ameri as well as military and civilian dignitaries from the Seychelles and the UAE.

The base is a 15-million US dollar project which started in October 2010 and is a donation to the Seychelles from the Government and People of the UAE.

During the inaugural ceremony, the Chief of Defence Forces of the SPDF, Brigadier Leopold Payet delivered a speech where he thanked the President of the UAE, His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces for the donation and continued support of the UAE in maritime defence and anti-piracy initiatives.

"This base is a testimony of the strong ties of friendship between our two countries. We thank our partners for their contribution. We are very proud today and very fortunate to have one of the most modern naval bases in the region. With this increase in our capacity to respond to maritime threats, and we will be better able to improve our resilience in a rapidly changing environment," said Brigadier Payet.

On his part, the Chief of Naval Staff of the UAE, Brigadier General Ibrahim Al Musharak expressed his satisfaction for the completion of the project, and extended the support of the UAE Navy to the Seychelles Coast Guard.

" On this occasion we add another stone to our mighty wall of friendship.... The UAE is ready to fully support the Seychelles Coast Guard in training and logistics.... together we can contribute to a safer and more prosperous world," said Brigadier General Al Musharak.

Following the ceremony, the President and dignitaries toured the new facilities which include a jetty, a helicopter pad, hangar, guard rooms, recreational facilities, gym, workshop facilities for ship repair and maintenance, mess facilities, a library, living quarters for officers, warrant officers and other ranks, offices, general stores, and as the headquarters of the Coast Guard also includes the Command Centre. The Seychelles Coast Guard base has a surface area of 30,000 m2.