Africa-Press – Seychelles. French-Seychellois friendship highlighted
“Celebrating this National Day with you and the French people is to mark with you our support for the great breath of freedom, the great need for equality and the aspiration for solidarity of actions around which the French Republic has built over time. It is also the celebration of Franco-Seychellois friendship. A friendship which is alive, sincere and essential for us, and which has made France an exemplary political, economic and cultural partner”, underlined the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde in his official speech during a ceremony which took place yesterday at the Labriz Gastro Lounge in Bel Ombre
He also recalled the long and great history that unites the two countries. “We share a language, a heritage, and we are constantly together in consultation, in mutual respect for our identity and in solidarity”.
Speaking of our collaboration in the Indian Ocean, the Minister recalled the work carried out together to defend the major issues of stability of the planet, in the forefront of which: the fight against climate change, maritime security, the fight against terrorism , against the scourge of drugs and illegal fishing, respect for international law and peace.
Mr. Radegonde thanked France for the training sessions Seychellois have benefited from. “Furthermore, my recent visit to Reunion, and the discussions I had there, clearly demonstrate the importance of strengthening cooperation with this Department in many areas. I cannot end without expressing my gratitude to you for the real fraternity in arms that the French Armed Forces have just achieved again by participating alongside the Seychelles Defense Forces in the June 29 parade. In addition, their commitment to the fight against drugs and illegal fishing alongside our forces eloquently symbolizes the values of solidarity and mutual aid that France has always upheld,” he added.
A traditional toast was raised in honor of French-Seychellois friendship and to the health of President Emmanuel Macron (France) and President Wavel Ramkalawan (Seychelles).
The Ambassador of France to Seychelles, Mrs. Olivia Berkeley-Christmann, spoke about the political situation in the world which remains a matter of concern. “The security, food, humanitarian crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year is not over and the war continues, but we welcome the fact that Seychelles continues to stand with the France, the European Union and the United Nations to defend international law and support the resolution of the conflict towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations,” said Ambassador Berkeley-Christmann.
Ms. Berkeley-Christmann spoke about the various major topics of shared interest related to the environment or climate, migration and maritime security in the India-Oceania or the Indo-Pacific. “There was COP 27, the widespread adoption of the Multi-Dimensional Vulnerability Index and the defense of small island states and the recent Paris summit for a new global financial pact,” she said.
Without a doubt, Seychelles recognizes the excellent operational cooperation with the FAZSOI that is projected from Reunion and Mayotte. “This operational cooperation has already enabled several interceptions at sea and in particular the seizure of more than a ton of heroin; its reinforcement was envisaged during the recent visit of the High Commissioner of FAZSOI for Independence Day. »
The Ambassador also noted that maritime security also takes place within a regional framework with the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) or the European Union. She also gave an update on partnerships in tourism, vocational training and education, in the field of sport and youth.
“France and the Seychelles share a common history but also a community of values that push them to defend freedom, equality and fraternity together rather than the use of force for a common future, a community of destiny at the heart of the Indian Ocean and more broadly of Indiaoceania. This celebration aims to bring together the friends of France in a spirit of solidarity and in the evocation of these values that we share,” concludes the Ambassador.The ambassador also announced the departure of her deputy Lilian Cassiède-Yturbide and the chief commissioner Romain Salmon.
The event was attended by the President of the National Assembly Roger Mancienne, President of the Supreme Court Rony Govinden, some ministers, the head of government, members of the diplomatic corps, Attorney General Frank Ally, Police Commissioner Ted Barbé, the Chief of Defense Force, Brigadier Michael Rosette, the Chief of Staff of the Seychelles Defense Forces Colonel Jean Attala and friends of France.
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