The Ambassador of Indonesia, H.E. Mr. Sunu M. Soemarno has today bid farewell to President James Michel in a meeting held at State House, following his three and half-year tenure in office.

President James Michel commended Ambassador Soemarno for his efforts in enhancing cooperation between Seychelles and Indonesia and wished him all the best in his new posting. It was noted that the two countries need to work together in order to achieve more progress at bilateral level.

During the meeting, the President and Ambassador Soemarno discussed various issues of mutual interest such as combating transnational crime in the Indian Ocean. They also discussed the facilitation and increase of trade and investment opportunities in both countries.

Speaking to the local press after the meeting, Ambassador Soemarno said that bilateral relations between Seychelles and Indonesia have developed at various levels and that there were still opportunities for a stronger partnership.

“Officials of both countries have had the chance to strengthen the diplomatic contact with each other and we hope that this will be enhanced in the future... As Indonesia holds the Chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Rim Association and Seychelles occupies the Chairmanship of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia , I am sure we can assist each other in those roles... I am sure that my successor will speed up the works undertaken to facilitate air and maritime transport between the two states of the Indian Ocean,” concluded the outgoing Indonesian Ambassador.

The farewell call was attended by the Diplomatic Adviser in the Office of the President Ambassador Callixte d’Offay, and the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Indonesia based in Seychelles, Mr. Harry Tirant.

Ambassador Soemarno was based in Nairobi, Kenya.