The European Union Ambassador to Seychelles, Alessandro Mariani, has paid a farewell call on President James Michel at State House this morning following a four year tenure, based in Mauritius.

President James Michel thanked Ambassador Mariani for the support and effort he has personally given during his mandate, especially in the fight against piracy, climate change as well the support extended by various EU-funded programmes within the Indian Ocean Commission, as well as in Seychelles.

“I would like to thank you for all your support during your tenure, particularly your personal commitment to the development of Seychelles and other Indian Ocean island states. The European Union has worked extensively to enhance our country's development in several fields, and we greatly appreciate this partnership,” said President Michel.

Ambassador Mariani expressed his gratitude to the President for the excellent cooperation between the Seychelles and the EU, and reviewed some the significant achievements of this partnership.

“This has been an opportunity to take stock of our excellent relations with Seychelles and the EU, and to take stock of a number of important results we have jointly achieved... the last four years has been important in terms of economic reforms for the country, and the entire international community has recognised the excellent results by Seychelles. There has been a turnaround in economic structure," said Ambassador Mariani.

Mr. Mariani noted that Seychelles and EU had worked closely in the area of maritime security and piracy, eliminating trade barriers, mitigating climate change, as well as improving prospects for trade though an Interim Economic Partnership Agreement, which will allow Seychelles to maintain full and free (without tax) access to the European markets. He also added that the introduction of the Schengen Visa Waiver has allowed Seychellois to travel without visa in the European Union since May 2009.

" I am pleased to have the opportunity to serve the relations between the European Union and Seychelles at a time which has been extremely important and extremely successful for your country, " said Ambassador Mariani .

Ambassador furthermore expressed congratulations, on behalf of the European Union, on the celebration of the Seychelles Nation Day and its 20th anniversary.

Editor's Note

•    The meeting was attended by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jean-Paul Adam, and the President's Diplomatic Advisor, Ambassador Callixte D'Offay.