Danish ambassador bids farewell |20 July 2005

Making only his second trip to Seychelles – his first was his accreditation visit in March 2002 – Ambassador Finn Thilsted met first with President Michel, before saying good-bye to Vice-President Joseph Belmont.

Speaking to the press after his State House meetings the ambassador explained that, based in Nairobi and accredited to Kenya, Eritrea and Ethiopia, "it is difficult to be as engaged as you would wish," with Seychelles.

Despite the lack of diplomatic contact over the last three years Ambassador Thilsted described relations between Seychelles and Denmark as, "good and cordial."

He also said that the Danish government would be happy to listen to any suggestions for closer co-operation put forward by the Seychelles authorities, including assisting Seychelles in on-going European Union-ACP (African, Caribbean, Pacific) trade talks.

With over 100 Danish tourists each month visiting Seychelles, Ambassador Thilsted said that he hoped the Danish tourism private sector would look at ways of strengthening links with local counterparts.

Ambassador Thilsted, who leaves to become Ambassador to Nepal, will be replaced by Mr Bo Jensen, whom he said he would encourage to visit Seychelles once a year and step up Danish intervention.