Annual diplomatic cocktail - Seychelles maintains and builds on cultural diversity |20 February 2017

Seychelles may be but mere dots on the world map, but as a resilient and peaceful people, maintaining and building on cultural diversity is one of its forte.

Designated Minister Macsuzy Mondon, who is also the Minister for Local Government, made the remark when addressing members of the diplomatic corps gathered for the annual diplomatic cocktail hosted by the foreign affairs department at Savoy Resort & Spa on Friday evening.

President Danny Faure was also in attendance along with the president of the Court of Appeal Francis McGregor, ministers, leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Wavel Ramkalawan, leader of government business in the National Assembly Charles De Commarmond, Foreign Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Marie-Louise Potter, secretaries of state, members of the National Assembly, principal secretaries and staff of Maison Quéau de Quinssy.

Mrs Mondon noted that it is our acceptance of our diversity and identification as being simply a Seychellois, which forms the basis of our unique identity.

“Building and continuing to strengthen our cultural ties remain at the forefront of our agenda. It is in this vein that we will continue to fortify our international relations so that Seychelles remains open to the world. We have a great appreciation for, and attach immeasurable value to our traditional partners and we are confident that opening our doors to new partners will only enrich our current links,” said Mrs Mondon.

She described ambassadors and high commissioners as the conduit for Seychelles’ ideas to the world, adding that their contribution is immeasurable.

Emphasising on the momentous shifts that have touched Seychelles, in particular the realignment of the political landscape, Mrs Mondon said “2016 saw parliamentary elections resulting in the National Assembly consisting of a majority from an opposition coalition; a new presidential administration; and an unprecedented period of political cohabitation”.

Remembering Seychelles’ founding President, Sir James Mancham, whose passing early this year touched us all, Mrs Mondon also emphasised that unity and reconciliation remain high on Seychelles’ agenda in its quest for further progress and the country remains true to its guiding values that have stood the test of time.

“Our advocacy and support for issues of pertinence to our Republic remain unwavering as is our own ambition to maintain friendly relations with all nations to ensure the continued viability of the international system,” said Mrs Mondon, who reiterated the country’s commitment to host the Regional Maritime Centre for Operational Coordination, which is the response mechanism which targets all forms of maritime threats.

As Seychelles is committed to limiting temperature rise to below 2 degrees as per the Paris Agreement, the country, despite its already low carbon footprint, will move even more towards green renewable energy, according to Designated Minister Mondon.

She also noted that Seychelles is making strides to respect its international obligations with regards to human rights, adding that the Convention for the Protection of all persons from enforced disappearance has already entered into force here, making the country one of the few in the region to have become a party to all nine core United Nations treaties on human rights.

Mrs Mondon then switched to French.

Elle a rappelé les grandes orientations de l’administration du Président Danny Faure qui s’appuient sur les valeurs clés de la bonne gouvernance, la transparence et la reddition des comptes.

« Mesurer chaque acte à l’aune de la bonne gouvernance et de la transparence, assurer une croissance durable dont le bénéfice sera partagé par l’ensemble des Seychellois, défendre partout les idéaux de justice sociale, d’unité et de tolérance qui nourrissent et entretiennent l’espoir, figurent donc au nombre des considerations qui continueront d’inspirer le gouvernement. L’action de la diplomatie seychelloise s’inscrit naturellement dans cette dynamique voulue par le Président Faure », a-t-elle dit.

Madame Mondon a ajouté que le département des Affaires étrangères, dans la droite ligne de cette orientation, se fera fort de poursuivre, avec dévouement et loyauté, dans ce sens.

« Il s’engagera pleinement dans la dynamique de la vision d’une diplomatie pragmatique et proactive, engagée au service du rayonnement international des Seychelles », a dit Madame Mondon.

Elle a précisé que nos actions s’inscriront dans la préservation, l’élargissement et le renforcement des relations d’amitié et de coopération avec nos partenaires traditionnels.

Elles s’articuleront aussi à la mise en oeuvre d’une diplomatie économique, préoccupée à attirer des investissements, à revaloriser les axes de coopération nord/sud et sud/sud, à promouvoir l’intégration économique régionale et africaine et à renforcer la visibilité des Seychelles, tout en recherchant une plus grande diversité au niveau des partenaires.

Madame Mondon a ajouté que bien qu’étant l’une des plus petitea nations au monde, les Seychelles peuvent affirmer avec fierté qu’elles assurent à l’échelle internationale un leadership dynamique.

Elle a dit que les visites en 2016 de Monsieur Ban Ki Moon, secrétaire général de l’ONU, de Madame Michaëlle Jean, la secrétaire générale de l’Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, et de Monsieur José Graziano da Sila, directeur général de la FAO, témoignent de l’importance du rôle et de la place des Seychelles dans les efforts internationaux pour l’instauration d’un monde de paix, de justice et de solidarité.

Madame Mondon a saisi l’occasion pour saluer tous les partenaires des Seychelles pour le soutien qu’ils ont apporté et continuent à apporter aux actions du pays, avant de les inviter à poursuivre et à intensifier leurs efforts afin de raffermir les relations d’amitié et de coopération, afin de les impulser vers des horizons plus vastes.

Reiterating Mrs Mondon’s words that the year 2016 was historical for Seychelles in terms of the results of the parliamentary elections, Dean of the diplomatic corps here, Russian Ambassador Vladimir Belous, said the diplomatic corps has always followed with great interest and sympathy the development of political situation and democratic changes in the country.

“We welcome the fresh approach that was introduced by President Faure towards reconciliation and national unity, which created a totally new environment where in mutual desire and respect two branches of powers – executive and legislative represented by major political forces – are working together for the benefit of the people,” said Ambassador Belous.

He added that being a tiny island nation, Seychelles is a good example of the true multipolar character of the present world where each country – big or small – is an equal member of the world community where stable relations are based on real partnership and cooperation with the purpose to fight together the global threats as the country is an important and active member of the United Nations. African Union, Southern African Development Community (SADC), Indian Ocean Commission, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) and many others.

Ambassador Belous also touched on Seychelles’ fight against climate change, its development of the Blue Economy concept, its involvement in the Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and its representatives in the world.

Expressing his delight with the increasing number of foreign missions here and welcoming Ahmed Alneyadi, the chargé d’affaires of the United Arab Emirates, Ambassador Belous said they are lucky to work in Seychelles.

He described Seychelles as a “wonderful place not only because it has very beautiful nature, golden beaches and exceptionally marvellous ocean, but also because the country possesses its most precious treasure – always welcoming and friendly Seychellois people”.

“I think every member of our diplomatic corps is happy to work in this adorable environment that allows us to understand the rich local culture and traditions and use this knowledge to establish, maintain and develop deep ties of friendship between the peoples of our countries,” he said.

Designated Minister Mondon and Mr Belous also proposed a toast to previous year’s achievements and to the year ahead.