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Archive - Archive 2004 - July 2013

UK-Seychelles celebrate strong ties at Queen’s birthday party |15 June 2013

African Union Commission chairperson, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, former President James Mancham, Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Paul Adam, and other dignitaries were among the guests who gathered at the high commission to celebrate the Queen’s official birthday.

“The Queen has a deep and keen interest in all the issues UK and Seychelles so proudly work together on. She was delighted to hear that RAPPICC (the Regional Anti-Piracy Prosecution and Intelligence Coordination Centre) had opened and was operational; fascinated to hear my account of the National Assembly special debate on the Commonwealth Charter and its translation into Creole; of our work with the Seychelles justice system, prison and police services, support for climate change and renewables projects and our expertise in helping bring disability and Paralympic sport to Seychelles,” said Mrs Skoll.

The high commissioner met with the Queen in London earlier this year, during which the Queen recounted memories of her visit to Seychelles 41 years ago.

“It is no secret how dear the memory of the Seychelles remains to her, how vivid her memory of coming alongside in Port Victoria aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, her first sight of Bird Island, and the heartfelt greetings and sincerity of welcome she received here.  It was a great privilege to reassure her that the Seychelles spirit, character and beauty remain strong, and that our links and friendship continue to flourish and adapt to new shared challenges and opportunities – whether it be piracy or the Commonwealth Charter.”

Minister Adam, who is also a former Chevening award scholar, spoke about the many strong ties which exist between the two countries.

“We are pleased on this occasion to celebrate the strength of the ties that exist between Seychelles and the UK, and which have evolved into a multi-dimensional and strategic partnership since independence,” he said.

In addition to the UK’s support in combating piracy, enhancing Seychelles’ human resource capacity and supporting Seychelles’ work in international forums, the minister also spoke of the importance of the two countries’ Commonwealth ties.

“Our shared values of peace, democracy, development, justice and human rights – which are found in our new Commonwealth Charter – mean that more efforts should be invested in ensuring that everyone participates in the international discussions on how to achieve this goal, especially the smallest members,” he said.

 

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