Dear Co-Chair

Honourable Ministers

Dear representatives from various Ministries

Dear Colleagues Ambassadors and Representatives from the EU Member States

Representatives from the EU Naval Force – Somalia Operation ATALANTA

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good morning

I am delighted to be here with you today in Seychelles; this is my first time here and the little I have managed to see since I landed two days ago already gives me a glimpse of the beautiful country you are lucky to live in!

I presented my credentials as the new ambassador of the European Union to President Ramkalawan two days ago. We had a very pleasant and positive discussion about our partnership and about the challenges ahead.

I start my mandate here in Seychelles with an important moment of our cooperation: the political dialogue. It is not a soft landing as I am getting straight into the matter.

I understand this is the 10th EU-Seychelles Policy Dialogue! I think we should celebrate this achievement. 

If I am not mistaken, 10 years anniversary is associated with tin – a metal that is known to be malleable - having a capacity for adaptive change.

I believe this is one of the many characteristics of our longstanding partnership with the Republic of Seychelles. We discuss, we decide to adapt or to change the way we work together and explore new areas where we have a mutual interest. But I understand that we always do so in a very open, frank and constructive manner. And I am certain that we will continue to do so over the next years.

Word of thanks

Allow me first of all to thank the Minister for Foreign Affairs (and Tourism) and his team as well as the whole Government of Seychelles for their warm welcome, the excellent preparatory work for this Political Dialogue as well as for your kind hospitality.

It augurs well for my very first Political Dialogue.

I am here today with the Ambassadors and representatives from 10 EU Member States, namely: Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Spain, France, Netherlands, Austria, Finland and Sweden as well as with representatives from the EU Naval Force – Somalia Operation ATALANTA. My team from the Delegation in Mauritius is also here to support me.

Objectives of the dialogue

Today’s dialogue is a key opportunity to look at what we have achieved as part of our strategic partnership over the past year since our last dialogue and discuss how we can further work together to overcome the many challenges that lie ahead.

Our leaders gathered at the United Nations General Assembly a few weeks ago. What can we take from UNGA78?

We heard that our collective objective to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 is facing serious challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has obviously contributed to this situation but today we are facing several other crises. Wars and conflicts, food insecurity, rising prices of commodities, rising inequalities, extreme climatic events around the world that underline the major threat posed by climate change and biodiversity loss.

Those multiple global challenges underline the need for multilateralism and cooperation in building and increasing our resilience for future crises that might arise.

It is in such a context that we have to fully appreciate the value of the EU-Seychelles strategic partnership. We share the same commitment to multilateralism and to a rules-based order with the United Nations at its core. We can also rely on a solid anchor: a strong attachment to universal fundamental values such as democracy, rule of law, freedom and human dignity.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The EU-Seychelles partnership

The EU-Seychelles partnership is a strategic one. Why? Because the cooperation we have developed is translated into concrete and meaningful results. They bring concrete benefits for our citizens both in Europe and in Seychelles: from high-quality tuna products for European consumers to infrastructure to protect inhabitants of La Digue from flooding, from safer navigation for commercial vessels and leisure boats to enhanced capacity to respond to natural disasters and protect Seychellois and tourists alike.

 Let me underline that we value Seychelles’ support on issues like climate change and sustainable oceans. We will have the opportunity to discuss about these issues in more details during our dialogue.

We work together for peace and security guided by our commitment to the respect for the UN Charter. We have a solid cooperation in the areas of maritime security and port security.  This is a priority for the EU as we are stepping up our strategic engagement with the Indo-Pacific region. Our consistent joint efforts are needed to respond to those threats, I think in particular about drug trafficking, and contribute to maritime security within the region.

We work together for sustainable economic growth. The EU remains a key business partner for Seychelles - the most important market for exports, the first provider of tourists and a reliable source of foreign direct investments. This is the result of our Economic Partnership Agreement and Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement and our joint efforts to promote economic diversification, develop aquaculture and support small and medium enterprises. We look forward to stepping up our partnership in trade, investment and fisheries.

There are obviously some difficult subjects that we have to discuss, I think particularly of the OECD rating of Seychelles on tax compliance. This important matter has already been discussed by our leaders - President, Ramkalawan and European Council President Michel, who held a bilateral meeting a few weeks ago, in the sidelines of UNGA78. Let me then reiterate our commitment to continue to work with Seychelles in a constructive manner and to provide assistance whenever it is needed. This is my message today: we are by your side.

We work in the area of climate change and biodiversity protection.  Recent extreme climatic events around the world confirm that we have to act urgently and collectively. Only a collective, immediate and decisive action will enable us to address those challenges.

The EU and Seychelles share a common vision as regards environment protection and the fight against climate change. We have heard your call for the adoption of the Multi Vulnerability Index. Let me underline that when it comes to funding, we take vulnerability into account. A good example is that we have strongly advocated for maintaining a cooperation programme for Seychelles for 2021-2027. And our efforts have been successful. Seychelles has a €2 million bilateral cooperation programme that we are looking forward to implement in close collaboration with you. We also have a significant regional cooperation (€ 170 million) with thirteen programmes covering a broad range of fields: climate change, disaster risk management, food security, fisheries, trade negotiations, entrepreneurship, health as well as maritime security.

I am glad that Member States, notably France and Germany, are also working with Seychelles in this important area. We are here as Team Europe to work with you and we could also explore the opportunity to work together in other areas such Circular Economy where we have some experience to share.

We work together for good governance and human rights. We share a strong attachment to democratic values and respect for human rights as they provide the foundation for the correct functioning of our societies.

Seychelles is considered a model in Africa in terms of stability, democratic governance and political transition. We are already engaged in this area through our support to the civil society and institutions to promote good governance, fight against corruption and promote gender equality.

Concluding remarks

We are not only here to talk. A dialogue is also, and above all, the moment to listen. We are also here to listen to your views on the challenges ahead, on our cooperation and on how we can better work together to the benefit of Seychelles and of its people. We are also keen to explore new avenues of cooperation.

I wish to convey, on behalf of all the EU Member States present and on my behalf, our sincere thanks to you Minister and your team in the ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism of the Republic of Seychelles for the careful planning and organisation of this important annual meeting.

I also wish to thank you, Honourable Minister Radegonde, for co-chairing this Political dialogue and thank all ministers and officials present here today.  This high-level participation bears testimony of the relevance and quality of our partnership.

The UNGA78’s theme was “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity : Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs (towards Peace, Prosperity, Progress and Sustainability for all”). Listening to the UN Secretary-General’s address during the opening of the 78th session of the General Assembly, I was struck by one part. The Secretary General said : “We have all the tools and resources to solve our shared challenges.  What we need is determination.” 

I think we can be proud as our partnership fits well with this theme as well as with this powerful quote by the UN Secretary General. We have the trust; we have the solidarity spirit; we have the will to work for the welfare of our citizens.

We have worked together for decades and have achieved a lot.

We face new challenges, but by joining our forces, we can not only hope but work for a better future.

I look forward to our dialogue today.

Thank you for your attention.