The outgoing High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania to the Republic of Seychelles, H.E. Dr. Batilda Burian, paid a farewell call on President James Michel today at State House, at the end of her tenure of office.

President James Michel thanked High Commissioner Burian for her valuable contribution to further enhance the bilateral relations between Seychelles and Tanzania. The President also noted the strong historical links that exist between Seychelles and Tanzania. Mr. Michel wished Dr Burian success in her future diplomatic mission.

During the meeting, the President and High Commissioner Burian reviewed various cooperation programmes that had been successful, areas where bilateral cooperation between the two countries can be consolidated and those that are still being finalised.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, High Commissioner Batilda Burian said that she expressed her sincere appreciation to President Michel from the government of Tanzania for the support that they have been receiving.

As she is based in Nairobi, Kenya, High Commissioner Burian explained that her government has agreed to set up an office for the Honorary Consul of Tanzania to the Seychelles, which will make the development of bilateral relations between the two countries easier.

“But without also having an office here, we’ve been able to move on in terms of our bilateral cooperation with our Ministries in charge of aviation. We were able to send them a memorandum of understanding, which enabled Air Seychelles to start its scheduled flights to Dar Es Salam twice a week but we also have bilateral agreements that are soon to be signed. One is the exchange of prisoners as well in investments, where the Seychelles Investment Board will cooperate with Tanzania Investment Centre. So, there are a quite a lot of milestones. I’ve also congratulated the President for his effort in terms of coming up with new initiatives of swapping the Seychelles’ debt with the Paris Club, whereby the money will be used for ocean conservation and climate change issues,” High Commissioner Batilda Burian concluded.

Also present during the farewell call on the President were the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Transport, Mr. Joel Morgan and the President’s Diplomatic Advisor, Ambassador Callixte D’Offay.