German and Turkish ambassadors accredited |10 February 2010

Mrs Hellwig-Botte and Mr Kayalar present their credentials to President Michel

Tuncer Kayalar is the third Turkish ambassador to Seychelles since the two countries set up diplomatic ties in June 1995, while Margit Hellwig-Botte is the 11th German envoy to Seychelles since January 1977.
Mr Kayalar said trade investment is an area that needs improvement and he and President Michel agreed to put in more resources to boost that sector.

This, he said, should be done by linking the two countries’ business communities and by setting up legal agreements in essential fields such as aviation. A direct flight between Turkey and Seychelles would attract investors and develop business opportunities.

These would mainly be in the fields of tourism, fisheries, agriculture and industry. There are also possibilities of cooperation in the field of solar energy, he added.

Mr Kayalar said talks are ongoing on a bilateral free trade agreement, of which the second round will be held in Ankara next week. He explained that once the agreement is approved, more Turkish products will be available on the local market at competitive prices.

Mrs Hellwig-Botte said despite the difference in their geographic positions, Seychelles and Germany have a lot of common interests.

Being both members of the United Nations, the two countries are doing much to bring the organisation forward, she added, and another common interest is environmental protection to help prevent climate change.

Mrs Hellwig-Botte also commented on the joint effort being carried out to fight piracy off the Somali coast and said the European Union – of which Germany is a part – is very grateful to Seychelles for cooperating, especially in bringing suspected pirates to trial.

She also paid a courtesy call on National Assembly speaker Dr Patrick Herminie.
Both ambassadors will be based in Nairobi, Kenya.