Serbian ambassador presents credentials, bestows highest Serbian decoration on President Michel |11 May 2016

Dragan Mraović is the new Serbian ambassador to Seychelles and he presented his letter of accreditation to President James Michel yesterday morning at State House after which he bestowed the Order of the Republic of Serbia on a sash on the Head of State.

Mr Mraović presented the Order, one of Serbia’s highest decorations, on behalf of the President of the Republic of Serbia, Tomislav Nikolić, to Mr Michel for his contribution in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, a press release from State House said.  

Expressing his gratitude for this honour President Michel said: “Your Excellency, I thank your government for this award which is testimony to the long-standing ties of friendship and cooperation between our two nations. I accept it with much pleasure and dedicate it to the people of Seychelles.”

President Michel congratulated Mr Mraović and said the government of Seychelles is looking forward to promote greater cooperation with Serbia.

They discussed how Serbia and Seychelles could consolidate their cooperation in the fields of tourism, education, health as well as international peace and security.

Also present during the discussions between President Michel and Mr Mraović were the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Transport Joël Morgan, the President's diplomatic adviser, ambassador Callixte d'Offay, and the honorary consul of Serbia to Seychelles, Dr Miodrag Todorović.

Mr Mraović also paid a courtesy call on Vice-President Danny Faure.

Speaking to the local press after his meeting, Mr Mraović said he had fruitful discussions with the two Seychellois leaders on numerous issues of mutual interests noting that during his mandate he will work to continue to develop economic and educational cooperation between his country and Seychelles.

"Economic relations are a priority and I will do my best to increase these relations. There should be exchange visits between business people from our two countries,” Mr Mraović said.  

He said the two countries are exploring more possibilities to bring tourists to Seychelles, not only Serbian but from the whole of Europe.

“We are helping Seychelles in the educational sector, with many Seychellois who have graduated in the former Yugoslavia and Serbia. Presently there are four Seychellois students studying at universities in Serbia and we have also one new scholarship to offer,” said Ambassador Mraović.

Mr Mraović is the third Serbian ambassador to be accredited here and he is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.