Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Seychelles |

Seychelles deepens ties during bilateral in the margins of the African Union Summit

VICTORIA, Seychelles, January 29, 2016/APO (African Press Organization)/ --

The Seychelles Minister for Foreign Affairs and Transport, Mr Joël Morgan, has said the Seychelles Government is committed to improving its institutions and actively tackling issues of income inequality.

Speaking to the Secretary General of the International Institute of Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), the Minister said that the central goal of all engagements was to improve the quality of life for the Seychellois people, which is why the Ministry is keen to engage with institutions like the IDEA.

“Seychelles is proud to have moved up in the rankings of the Corruptions Perception Index this week, and we are making strides towards strengthening our national institutions, through an Independent Anti Corruption Commission and a national Human Rights Commission,” said the Minister

“There is always much to be gained in the pursuit of a vibrant democracy.”

Minister Morgan met with Secretary General Mr Yves Leterme in the sidelines of the 28th Executive Council of the African Union in Addis Ababa today.

The IDEA, an intergovernmental organisation specialising in sustainable democracy, has been previously engaged with the Seychelles Electoral Commission and has reached out to explore further engagements with the Government.

As part of his bilateral engagements, Minister Morgan also met with the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr Yerzhan Ashikbayev, and the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Georgia, Mr David Jalagania, to discuss growing opportunities for deepening cooperation and trade.

Minister Morgan extended a special thanks to the Georgian Minister for their Government’s extension of the visa period for travelling Seychellois, from 30 days visa free entry to one year.

The Minister said it was a reflection of the high esteem and confidence the Georgian authorities had in the Seychellois people.

The Seychelles delegation to the African Union Summit also includes the Permanent Representative to the African Union, Amb. Joseph Nourrice, the Principal Counsellor in the Seychelles Embassy in Addis Ababa, Mrs. Amanda Bernstein, and Third Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Transport, Ms Lorraine Faure.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Seychelles.