Seychelles and Cuba’s parliaments seek closer ties |16 February 2018

The possibility of an exchange between the Seychelles National Assembly and Cuba’s parliament, the National Assembly of People’s Power, has been discussed.

Discussions took place during a visit that the Vice-President of the State Council of the Republic of Cuba, Mercedes López Acea, and her delegation made yesterday morning to the country’s legislative body, the National Assembly of Seychelles.

The Cuban delegation, which also consisted of the deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Ana Teresita González Fraga and the Cuban ambassador to Seychelles Juan Humberto Macias Pino, were welcomed by the deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Nicholas Prea.

During the brief visit, VP Acea and her entourage were able to tour the chamber where the members of parliament conduct their sittings as well as the parliamentary museum.

This was followed by a private tête-à-tête with Honourable Prea, the leader of the opposition Wavel Ramkalawan, the leader of government business Charles De Commarmond and the chairperson of the National Assembly’s International Affairs Committee, Jean-François Ferrari.

Chief among the discussion was the strengthening of the forty years of bilateral cooperation between Seychelles and Cuba, with emphasis made on the future collaboration between parliaments of the two island states.

“Emphasis was made on the strengthening of relations which already exist between the two countries such as the ongoing cooperation in the medical and educational fields,” Hon. Prea told the press after the meeting.

He further stated that the meeting also raised the possibility of an exchange between the National Assembly and Cuba’s own parliament, the National Assembly of People’s Power.

It is hoped that the exchange will result into the formation of a friendship committee between the two entities.

“Our local parliament is going through some changes where we have made some great progress in strengthening our democratic process and involving the public in our decisions as much as possible. Similarly Cuba is also going through some changes whereby they are opening up to the world,” Hon. Prea said.

“Hence we strongly believe that the two parliaments have common grounds that will enable the exchange of experiences and learn from each other,” he added.

This possible alliance of parliament was greatly appreciated by the leader of government business, Hon. De Commarmond, who stated that although both states have diverging political systems, Cuba and Seychelles still hold the interest of their people at the centre of their decision.

“Their system of central democracy is a fantastic one because it allows the people to participate as well as for the parliament to debate issues thoroughly. That means that any decision that is taken by a country on an executive level is also discussed in the legislative for the betterment of the populace and that is extremely important,” he added.

Hon. De Commarmond also revealed that the National Assembly voiced out its solidarity with the Cubans in light of the embargo imposed on Cuba, describing it as “undemocratic for this time and age we are living in”.