President onboard with Mauritius Day celebrations
Seychelles participates in Mauritius celebrations
MAURITIUS: After a productive state visit to Mauritius where he met with the Prime Minister to discuss key areas of collaboration, the President of the Republic of Seychelles stepped on board the vessel, Andromache, in Mauritius where it was participating in the military parade to mark Mauritius National Day celebrations.
President Patrick Herminie, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF), met with the officers and crew, congratulating them on their performance and for proudly representing Seychelles on this important regional occasion.
President Herminie was accompanied by the Mauritian Minister responsible for Tourism, along with senior officials of the Mauritian security forces, reflecting the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect between the two countries.
During the visit, the President toured the vessel and held a cordial exchange with members of the contingent, gaining insight into their experiences while deployed in Mauritius. He commended the team for their discipline, professionalism, and the pride with which they carried the Seychellois flag during the celebrations.
Members of the contingent shared details of their journey from Seychelles to Mauritius, which took four days at sea, and spoke about the valuable experience of participating in the National Day parade alongside Mauritian forces and other participating units.
The officers and crew expressed their appreciation for the President’s visit and welcomed the opportunity to interact with the Commander-in-Chief, noting that his presence and encouragement were a strong source of motivation. They also valued the chance to share firsthand the nature of their responsibilities at sea and the operational challenges that come with their duties.
President Herminie reaffirmed the Government’s continued support for the Seychelles Defence Forces and commended the dedication and commitment of the men and women in uniform. He emphasised the important role the Defence Forces play in safeguarding Seychelles’ sovereignty, strengthening maritime security, and contributing to regional cooperation and solidarity among Indian Ocean partners.
State visit
The visit to the vessel follows an official state visit that saw Herminie meet with Prime Minister of Mauritius, Dr the Hon Navinchandra Ramgoolam.
The two leaders reportedly held a candid and constructive exchange on key issues of mutual interest spanning land, air, and ocean domains. Discussions focused on maritime security, the blue economy, climate resilience, tourism development, and regional integration.
President Herminie announced the decision of the government of Seychelles to establish a resident diplomatic mission in Mauritius, underscoring the importance Seychelles attaches to its relations with Mauritius and recognising the country’s strategic role as host to key regional organisations such as the Indian Ocean Commission and the Indian Ocean Rim Association. Reciprocally, Prime Minister Ramgoolam also indicated Mauritius’ intention to pursue similar arrangements in Seychelles.
President Herminie also reaffirmed Seychelles’ full support for Mauritius in its efforts to restore sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago. He welcomed assurances that Seychellois Chagossians would be treated equally in compensation benefits due to them under the terms of the transfer agreement.
A key highlight of the day’s engagements was the signing of a Joint Declaration by President Herminie and Prime Minister Ramgoolam reaffirming the shared commitment of Seychelles and Mauritius to the sustainable development of the Joint Management Area of the continental shelf in the Mascarene Plateau region. Both leaders described the arrangement as an important model of cooperative and responsible ocean governance.
In addition, seven agreements were signed by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of both countries to strengthen institutional collaboration and facilitate practical cooperation across a range of sectors of mutual interest, including arts and culture, agriculture, fisheries, training, and capacity building.
Addressing members of the press, President Herminie noted that Seychelles and Mauritius share many common characteristics, including their geographical realities as island states, strong democratic traditions, and deep historical, cultural, and linguistic ties. He emphasised that both countries remain firmly committed to advancing the blue economy and ensuring the sustainable management of marine resources in the Indian Ocean.
PHOTO: President Patrick Herminie, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF), met with the officers and crew of the Andromache during its visit to Mauritius. (Source: Office of the President of the Seychelles.)
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