On the eve of the New Year, President James Michel has met with the Minister for International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, Mrs. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane at State House this morning. The Minister and her delegation are on a short official visit to Seychelles.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane conveyed the warm greetings for the New Year to the President and the people of Seychelles from the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, who was last in Seychelles on a working visit in August this year.

“ President Zuma remembers warmly his visits to Seychelles and is encouraged by the leadership of President Michel in the work to resolve the crisis in Madagascar. We have come a long way together in our joint efforts in SADC to bring stability to the country,” said  Minister Nkoana-Mashabane.

President Michel also conveyed New Year wishes to the President of South Africa and expressed his gratitude for the support of South Africa, and in particular the personal efforts of President Zuma, for working closely with Seychelles to develop programmes of cooperation, which Mr. Michel said is a ‘strategic partnership for the prosperity of the peoples of the two countries.’

“We have a common view of development in Africa, and South Africa has a special perspective on the needs of Small Island Developing States, and has supported us in our efforts to bring regional peace and stability. We have discussed a number of socio-economic issues which will enable us to work towards strengthening our bilateral cooperation,” said President Michel.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane also met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jean Paul Adam, yesterday, where they discussed expanding cooperation in the health sector, tourism trade and investments, as well as in culture and sports, through the sharing of expertise, training for personnel and deepening dialogue to maximise potential partnerships. Other areas of cooperation discussed include educational support through the provision of further scholarships and possible collaboration with the University of Seychelles, and closer collaboration in the area of maritime security in the Indian Ocean, as well as the support of maritime related industry in the region.