New ambassador to help boost trade between Seychelles and Egypt |22 October 2014

The new Egyptian ambassador to Seychelles, Mahmoud Ali Talaat, presented his credentials to President James Michel at State House yesterday.

Speaking to the press after his accreditation, Mr Jalaat said bilateral relations and cooperation binding the two countries and matters in trade were among the topic of discussions between him and the President.

“We discussed bilateral relations and collaboration binding our two countries. We also discussed several matters in the trade field, how our trade could be doubled, tripled or even quadrupled. We should make more effort in that respect using what we have now which is the Comesa (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa),” the Egyptian ambassador said, adding that there are lots of agreements to be signed between Seychelles and Egypt.

He also said Egypt can supply many experts in different fields, especially health.

Regarding the three Seychellois nationals facing the death penalty in Egypt, the Egyptian ambassador said that this issue was also discussed between President Michel and himself.

He said the President is very concerned about it, as well as the Seychellois people in general and relatives of the detainees.

He said President Michel has asked him to convey his message to the Egyptian President on the matter.

“The president is really concerned about the impending fate of the convicts as well as the grief their families are going through. I will convey his message to the Egyptian President as soon as I arrive back in Nairobi,” said the ambassador.

To show that President Michel is very concerned about that case, the ambassador noted that Seychelles has sent a special envoy, Ambassador Barry Faure, to Egypt where he met with the Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs on Tuesday and had very long talks.

“I believe the Seychelles President hasn’t spared any effort in the matter,” said the Egyptian ambassador.

He asked everyone to hope for the best as normally the Egyptian government never gets involved in the judicial process of the country.

Ambassador Jalaat is based in Nairobi, Kenya.