Africa-Press – Seychelles. • “Aldabra is extraordinary and must be preserved” – Prince Albert II of Monaco
Prince Albert II of Monaco, who was on an official visit to the Seychelles, mainly to Aldabra during these three days, left the Seychelles yesterday evening.
But before leaving our country, he was received at the State House by the President of the Republic Wavel Ramkalawan yesterday afternoon for a courtesy visit and also a meeting with the ministers of the Seychellois Cabinet.
It was following an invitation from President Wavel Ramkalawan that Prince Albert II agreed to undertake an expedition to Aldabra Atoll, one of the two Seychelles sites listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (the organization of the United Nations for Education, Science and Culture).
The expedition is part of the Monaco Exploration Mission in the Indian Ocean, organized by the Prince Albert Foundation of Monaco and the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco.
In this meeting with the President and the ministers, the Monegasque head of state mentioned the fundamental elements of the expedition to Aldabra. During this visit to Aldabra, he was accompanied by Ministers Jean-François Ferrari and Flavien Joubert.
During a small interview with the local press, President Ramkalawan said he was satisfied with the reports received regarding the explorations of the Monaco S.A. research vessel. Agulhas 2. “This is a first step and we already have very good news about future collaborations.” This expedition allowed 13 of our young people to be in this adventure…it already shows us our commitment to each other. We also talk about educational projects.
Prince Albert II emphasized that in the past he received the invitation to come to Seychelles by other presidents, but he could not be released and he thanked President Ramkalawan for persevering with his invitation.
“I congratulate you for the work you do in the Seychelles at the level of environmental preservation. The research team includes more than 80 scientists from different countries around the world. She will carry out scientific work on corals, mangroves, seabeds, turtles and a large part of the flora and fauna around and on Aldabra. On board the ship is a group of 15 to 20 Seychellois participants – including students, scientists, representatives of the blue economy department and a local diver. Of course we will share these data with the Seychelles as soon as they are available”, said Prince Albert II.
Prince Albert II also talked about other collaboration projects such as the mentoring of Seychellois youth and also the preservation of the environment. After this visit to Aldabra, Prince Albert II also spoke of a collaboration with the Seychelles to eliminate the population of cats and rats on the island.
Prince Albert II had this desire to swim in the waters of Aldabra and although he did not dive, he had the opportunity to be in the current in the waters of Aldabra. “I saw several species of fish and a diversity of plants. Aldabra is one of the largest atolls in the world and it is magnificent. The island is surrounded by extraordinary marine life and I appeal to the world to preserve it.
At the end of the official meetings, President Ramkalawan and First Lady Linda Ramkalawan welcomed Prince Albert II, the diplomatic corps of Seychelles, ministers, members of the National Assembly, senior government officials and scientists from a reception at the State House.
“Even if I didn’t taste the pine fruit, I would come back to your paradise and unique island with my family,” he concluded.
For More News And Analysis About Seychelles Follow Africa-Press
