Mancham describes visit to Bulgaria as “most successful” |17 June 2014

Seychelles founding President Sir James Mancham and Lady Mancham have paid a three-day visit to Bulgaria.

Mr Mancham was received by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Kristian Vigenin. He also met deputy Minister for Economy, responsible for tourism Branimir Botev, former Bulgarian President Peter Stoyanov and former Bulgarian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Solomon Passy.

Mr Mancham and Lady Mancham were received by the former Bulgarian Prime Minister King Simeon II and his wife Dona Margarita in the Royal Castle nearby Sofia. All meetings were also attended by the Seychelles honorary consul in Bulgaria, Maxim Behar.

The couple attended during the last day of their visit a reception marking the 10th anniversary of the opening of Seychelles’ consulate in Bulgaria and appointment of Mr Behar as honorary consul by President James A. Michel.

"To me it is an honour to be at this unique party, attended by intelligent and successful people, who came to show their respect to our country and our honorary consul. Our government has given Mr Behar a very high estimate. His participation in a number of international organisations, his constant work to improve the image of the Republic of Seychelles and his love for our country cannot remain unnoticed by President James Michel and Foreign Minister Jean-Paul Adam," Mr Mancham said in his statement.

He claimed that the description of the Republic of Seychelles as a small country was untrue, stressing that any country which is surrounded by water on all sides cannot be a small country.

"What I have always found attractive about the Seychelles are the people first and foremost, not only the environment. They are smiling, hard-working, dedicated and responsible," said Mr Behar.
The reception was attended by government representatives, diplomats and businessmen.

"It was one of my most successful visits abroad in the past years," Mr Mancham concluded before he left Sofia.