President Michel has met with the New Zealand Foreign Minister, Mr. Murray McCully at State House this afternoon. During the visit of the Minister, the first High Commissioner of New Zealand to Seychelles, Dr James Kember, also presented his credentials to the President. The High Commissioner is based in Addis Ababa.  The high level New Zealand delegation is in Seychelles for the AIMS Preparatory Meeting taking place this week and to strengthen the bilateral partnership between the two countries.
 
President Michel thanked New Zealand for attending the Preparatory Meeting, and added that it would be an opportunity to enhance the excellent relations between Seychelles and New Zealand. Mr. Michel and Mr McCully agreed to strengthen dialogue between the two countries.
 
The President and Minister McCully discussed several areas of possible future bilateral cooperation including fisheries, renewable energy, trade, agriculture and environmental protection.
 
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jean-Paul Adam said that the presence of Mr. Murray McCully at the AIMS Regional Preparatory Meeting brings the contribution of New Zealand as very strong supporter of island issues around the world as well as an opportunity to share the development experiences in both the Pacific and in the Indian Ocean and discuss the way forward to connect to the different oceans of the world.
 
"We’re very pleased that the Minister could be with us to contribute towards this meeting, particularly in the concept of the Blue Economy. New Zealand is a leader in this field and where we see a natural partnership between our two countries," said Minister Adam.

It is to be noted that Seychelles and New Zealand are the two countries in the world with the most territory designated as protected area.  Seychelles has committed over 50percent of its territory as protected areas.

"The two countries are like minded states that believe strongly in mainstreaming issues related to sustainability.  The interests of SIDS are key to sustainability, and we are pleased to have New Zealand's contributions on these matters," the Minister added.

On his part, the New Zealand Minister for Foreign Affairs, Murray McCully, expressed his satisfaction to be representing the Pacific region of which New Zealand is a part of, in order to build stronger links with the Indian Ocean as well as other regional organisations. He said that it is an opportunity to share ideas and also learn from the other partners in the region.
 
“I am delighted to be here and so far my visit has been very productive…From a bilateral point of view, I wanted to come because I’ve heard the success story of the Seychelles. The way in which you have overcome significant adversity and challenges in recent years. The way in which you have confidently gone about building a successful country and I was keen to establish stronger ties between our two countries... " said Minister McCully.
 
Editor's Note:
 
• The meeting was attended by Seychelles Minister for Foreing Affairs, Mr. Jean-Paul Adam, the President's Diplomatic Adviser, Ambassador Callixte d'Offay, as well as the New Zealand High Commissioner to Seychelles, Dr James Kember.