In the context of the 4th Political Dialogue, the EU Ambassador together with EU Member States ambassadors carried out a site visit at Au Cap Primary School to join pupils and staff in the Children's Day celebrations. They also inaugurated the new EU-financed fish market at Anse Royale, and visited the quay on Ile du Port, where they had the opportunity to see loading and unloading activities.

The objective of the site visit was to showcase European Union’s commitment to accompany Seychelles in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Seychelles, H.E. Marjaana Sall, said:

- "The projects that we are visiting today are concrete illustrations of EU actions on the ground to assist Government in meeting its developmental and global challenges.

EU’s interventions in the education sector via the 10 th EDF Budget support programme has for instance contributed to the preparation and implementation of the Medium Term Education Strategy, which provides Government with a solid base for achievements in that sector. On this note, I seize the opportunity to congratulate Government on its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goal 4, which is to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality of education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

The new fish market in Anse Royale financed under the on-going Fisheries Agreement is in turn a symbol of a new comprehensive EU-Seychelles partnership, moving beyond development aid issues into enhanced trade, economic and environment-related cooperation for mutual benefit, in line with SDG No 8 "to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all", and SDG No 14 "to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development"

The visit to Au Cap Primary school could not have been organised on a more appropriate day – on Children's Day celebrations. Au Cap Primary School is among three schools to received EU funding for renovations and rehabilitation after the damages caused the tropical storm Felleng in 2013. Seychelles received a total envelope of EUR 500 000 under the 10 th EDF B Envelope for these three schools. The renovation works included replacement of wooden shutters, roof repair and electrical works, among others. The EU Ambassador Marjaana Sall also seized the opportunity to congratulate Government for the disbursement of the final tranche of EUR 1 350 000 in April 2016 under the 10 th EDF Education Budget support programme, in recognition of concrete results achieved by the Government in the process of implementation of the Medium Term Education Strategy.

In view of the celebration of World Environment Day on 5 June, the EU delegation also presented trophies to the winners of the drawing contest "My Island of tomorrow" that was launched in March 2016. The winners are as follows:

1st prize: Glacis Primary School (Jade Medor and Pearl Lalande)

2nd prize: Glacis Primary School (Karine Annette and Chloe Louis)

3rd prize: Anse Etoile Primary school (Danius Labonté and Kendra Vital)

4th prize:

Anse Boileau Primary School (Stanio Pothin and Leah Celestine)

Baie Lazare Primary School (Emmanuella Magloire and Shania de Comarmond)

Anse Etoile Primary School (Valentina Labrosse and Keira Jeannevole; and Rehanella Farabeau and Neesha Pierre)

5th prize:  Baie Lazare Primary School (Rebecca Robert and John Paul Soubana).

Still in the context of environmental day celebrations, the EU Head of Missions proceeded with the plantation of trees in the school yard.

The EU mission then proceeded to Anse Royale where they met with the artisanal fishermen in the presence of the Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, Mr. Wallace Cosgrow. The construction of the market has been financed by the European Union as part of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement. The EU mission also visited the quay on Ile du Port, which was also financed under the latter Agreement.

FACTS

1. The EU support to Fisheries in Seychelles

The first fisheries agreement concluded between the EU and Seychelles dates back from 1987. The new protocol was signed in 2013 for six years. EU annual financial contribution amounts to EUR 5,350,000 for the two first years, and EUR 5,000,000 for year 3 to year 6. It includes: i) access rights for 50,000 tons of tuna that the European fleet is allowed to catch each year, and ii) support to the fisheries sector.

2. EU support to the Education sector in Seychelles

Following the impact of the tropical storm Felleng, the European Union has funded rehabilitation works in three primary schools (Au Cap, Anse aux Pins and Pointe Larue) under a specific envelope for unforeseen needs. The European Union has also provided support to Seychelles for the implementation of the Medium Term Education Strategy 2013-2017 under a sector budget support programme.

3. Drawing contest "My island of tomorrow"

The Delegation of the European Union launched a drawing competition for primary schools of the Republic of Mauritius, Union of Comoros and Republic of Seychelles in March 2016. The contest was open to children aged between 8 and 12 from public and private schools. The objective was to encourage children to express their thought about the sustainable development of their island. A preselection of the best drawings was organised at national level. Selected best drawings from Seychelles were then posted on the Delegation's Facebook page and open to a public vote from 25 April to 02 May 2016. In each of the three countries, there are five winning teams, namely the teams who have received the higher number of "Likes".

4. European Union

The European Union is a unique economic and political union between 28 European countries that together cover much of the continent. Today, the EU has a total population of more than 500 million. Within the EU market, people, goods, services and capital move without any barriers. Euro, which is the single currency adopted by 19 Member States, is used each day by over 300 million people. Main institutions include the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers, and the European Commission. Since the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009, the EU has a high representative for foreign affairs and security who heads the European External Action Service. Ms Federica Mogherini is the EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. With 139 delegations and offices, the European External Action Service is one of the world's largest diplomatic services.