New UK envoy hopes to enrich ties |28 July 2004

Speaking to the press on Tuesday morning after visiting with both the president and Vice-President Joseph Belmont, Ms Skingle said she would be looking at ways how the UK and Seychelles can further develop what has been “a long and rich relationship.”

Ms Skingle is the tenth British High Commissioner to be accredited to Seychelles. She replaces Fraser Wilson, who served as High Commissioner from 2002 to 2004.
The new envoy said she spoke with Mr Wilson prior to her arrival in Seychelles on Saturday, adding that although continuity was important between high commissioners, there was also a need “to take a fresh look at things” and come up with new initiatives.

Ms Skingle said she would be discussing some of the prevalent issues in the country with various ministers, as assistance from the UK for development was based on bilateral needs.

She said her duties would also entail working with a new commission for Africa that has been appointed by UK prime minister Tony Blair.

Ms Skingle was until recently the deputy head of mission at the British Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

She has been posted to British embassies and high commissions in Kampala, Abidjan, Prague, Casablanca, Brussels and elsewhere, as well as serving in various positions in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK.

Seychelles and the UK established diplomatic relations on June 29, 1976.