Seychelles values Sri Lanka’s friendship, says President Michel |01 July 2014

Seychelles values Sri Lanka’s friendship and the relations between the two countries are very close and so much has happened between them in just one year.
President James Michel has reaffirmed Seychelles’ commitment to further strengthen the relations between Seychelles and Sri Lanka, one defined by mutual respect and founded on shared values and aspirations.

“On behalf of the government and the people of Seychelles, I extend a very warm welcome to you. It is an honour and great pleasure having you here with us once again. Since your last visit, so much has happened between Seychelles and Sri Lanka and it shows how close our relations are. I hope that your visit will create the framework for us to be able to move further our relations.

The partnership that we have forged shows the rest of the world that we can achieve the south-south cooperation. Sri Lanka has a lot to offer and we can also share our experiences. Mihin Lanka has been a catalyst of this cooperation and we hope that it continues doing well and rest assured that we will do our utmost so that cooperation flourish between our two countries,” said President Michel during his introductory remarks for the bilateral meeting.

Following the tête-à-tête meeting to discuss state affairs and the signing of agreements (see article above), President Michel hosted a luncheon in honour of President Rajapaksa.

In a toast in honour of President Rajapaksa, President Michel said: “We greatly value your friendship in our joint efforts and action to mobilise the international community to address more effectively the needs and vulnerabilities of islands, to promote cooperation on environmental issues such as climate change and oceanic development and the implementation of the blue economy concept.”

For his part, President Rajapaksa highlighted the history of bilateral cooperation between Seychelles and Sri Lanka during his toast address.

He said he is satisfied that more agreements have been signed between the two countries and that his country will do its best to take actions on those signings.

“As island nations in the Indian Ocean, we share many commonalities in values and cultural traditions.  Our people to people interactions continue to further enhance these connections… I have no doubt that this unique relationship will be further strengthened in the future for the mutual benefit of two countries and peoples,” said President Rajapaksa.

The Sri Lankan President had earlier expressed his country’s interest in developing the blue economy concept as well as their involvement in the Small Island Developing States (Sids) forum to be held in Samoa in September 2014.

“We are bonded by historical ties and friendship. As island nations we share and value this relation. Our partnership has been strengthened by establishing different cooperation programmes. Thank you your Excellency for the kind gesture in allowing for the opening of the Sri Lankan high commission here in Seychelles. We have been able to identify several areas of cooperation … which are expected to enhance our bilateral cooperation,” he said.

President Rajapaksa left Seychelles late Sunday afternoon and was seen off by President Michel, Vice-President Danny Faure, ministers, principal secretaries and ambassadors.