VICTORIA, Seychelles, October 4, 2017/APO/ --

Where and when: From Sunday, 8 October 2017 to Thursday, 12 October 2017 

Monday, 9 October 2017:  

• Meetings with the Chief Justice, the representatives of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly, the Leader of the Opposition and senior representatives of the coalition, and civil society organisations. 

• Reception on board of EUNAVFOR Atalanta vessel "ESPS RAYO", Port Victoria.  

Tuesday, 10 October 2017: 

• 9:00: 5th EU-Seychelles Political Dialogue at Eden Bleu Hotel. The political dialogue is an annual meeting between EU and Seychelles as per Article 8 of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement. It will focus on three main areas, namely: domestic developments in the Seychelles and the EU, cooperation between the EU and the Seychelles, and addressing global issues together. 

• Reception at the Meridien Fisherman's Cove, Beau Vallon.  

Wednesday, 11 October 2017:  

• Meetings with the President, Mr. Danny FAURE and the VicePresident, Mr. Vincent MERITON. 

• 10:30 – 11:30 : Inauguration of a landfill at Providence in the presence of the Minister of Environment, Energy & Climate Change, Mr. Didier DOGLEY.  The EU has financed a new solid waste landfill at Providence with a grant of 2.2 million euros. The landfill is fully in compliance with international environment norms. 

• Meeting with the representatives of Citizens Engagement Platform Seychelles (CEPS). In July 2016, the EU signed a grant contract with CEPS for a total amount of 99 000 euros to assist in increasing fairness, transparency and civic participation in the democratic elections process in Seychelles. 

• Visit of the Regional Maritime Operational Coordination Centre. The European Union supports the operationalisation of the Coordination Operational Centre based in Victoria in the framework of the Regional Maritime Surveillance Mechanism under the MaSe regional programme. 

Background : 

Marjaana Sall, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Seychelles, who is based in Mauritius, will undertake a four-day official visit to Victoria for the 5th EU-Seychelles Political Dialogue. She will carry out a number of field visits of EU-funded projects and host a reception to mark 40 years of solid partnership between the EU and Seychelles. She will also cohost, with the Spanish Ambassador accredited to Seychelles, a reception on board of a Spanish vessel participating in EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta. 

What you need to know : 

Ambassador Sall, will be accompanied by Heads of Diplomatic Missions and Political Counsellors from thirteen resident and non-resident EU Member States embassies accredited to the Republic of Seychelles, namely: Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Slovak Republic, Spain, Poland and United Kingdom.  

Ambassador Sall will launch the new Facebook page EUinSeychelles to showcase their longstanding partnership. All the information related to EUSeychelles partnership will be available on that page. 

Why you should attend: 

• Opportunity to interview the EU Ambassador on the future of the EUSeychelles partnership and how they will continue to work together. 

• Opportunity to participate with the EU delegation in site visits of projects supported by the European Union.  

• A specific media alert will be issued for the 5th EU-Seychelles Political Dialogue.