Joint management of the Extended Continental Shelf of the Mascarene Plateau |25 October 2013

Seychelles hosts third commissioners’ meeting

The third Seychelles-Mauritius Joint Commissioners’ meeting seeking to establish the necessary framework for the two countries to jointly manage the Extended Continental Shelf of the Mascarene Plateau was held here yesterday.

The Ministry of Land Use and Housing (MLUH) hosted the meeting for the two countries’ delegations at its office at Independence House.
Seychelles’ delegation was led by MLUH special adviser Raymond Chang Tave while the Mauritian delegation was led by Suresh Seeballuck, secretary to the Mauritian Cabinet and head of the country’s civil service.

Yesterday’s day-long meeting was to consider the drafts of different structures and mechanisms being proposed for the joint management by Mauritius and Seychelles of the resources that are located in the Mascarene Plateau which extends to some 396,000 square kilometres out beyond the respective exclusive economic zones on the deep ocean floor of the two countries.

Among the documents which were to be reviewed were the drafts of the Joint Fiscal Taxation Code, the Environment Code of Practice, the Petroleum Agreement and the Ministerial Declaration.
The second joint commissioners meeting took place in Mauritius some two months ago.

At the end of yesterday’s meeting the commissioners were expected to have put together and finalise all the above-mentioned documents to be later presented to the higher ministerial council as per the treaties to share  the management of the Extended Continental Shelf of the Mascarene Plateau region which the two countries signed in Mauritius in March last year.

Addressing the commissioners, Mr Chang Tave said the meeting would continue to discuss and review drafts of different documents which are crucial in the establishment of the necessary management structures the two countries will need to jointly manage the extended continental shelf of the Mascarene Plateau.

“When the management framework will be fully established, the two countries will be in a position to effectively and productively manage the resources – living and non-living – which may be located in this belt of jurisdiction,” said Mr Chang Tave, who also availed of the opportunity to thank the technical teams from both countries who have put considerable time and effort in order to reach this stage in development of the project.

“This will no doubt pave the way for further cooperation between our two countries in this respect,” said Mr Chang Tave who also acknowledged the continued support being received from the Commonwealth which also had a representative at yesterday’s meeting.

“This has contributed enormously to our success so far,” added Mr Chang Tave.
He went on to say that the success of the project demonstrates the foresight of the two countries’ leaders – President James Michel and Dr Navin Ramgoolam, Prime Minister of Mauritius – who have jointly championed and secure government support to invest in this project of which the potential returns will have lasting and positive effects on our two countries for generations to come.

When he addressed the commissioners, Mr Seeballuck said while some important documents were adopted at the last meeting in Mauritius, more issues need to be discussed further and clarified between the two delegations.

“We have come a long way since we undertook the start of the project but we still have much to do before we can actually eat the fruits which our joint extended continental shelf possesses,” Mr Seeballuck said.

“We must redouble our effort so that the necessary framework is put in place to allow this to happen,” he added.

Among other issues he also expressed the need to conclude as soon as possible a desktop study being conducted by consultants sponsored by the Commonwealth, a report of which was expected to be presented at the end of yesterday’s meeting.

He commended the spirit of friendship, understanding and common interest which have characterised their work and said it is proof that they will succeed in their undertaking.