Seychelles strengthens cooperation and bilateral relations with Mauritius
On July 10, 2008, the 8th Session of the Seychelles-Mauritius Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (SMCBC) ended. As a result, both Governments agreed to support each other and strengthen cooperation in order to boost bilateral relations.
The Seychelles delegation was led by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Patrick Pillay, while the Mauritian delegation was represented by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Dr Rama Sithanen.
The two countries have agreed that they will cooperate in the following areas:
- Regional Cooperation. Regarding aid for Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, Seychelles and Mauritius have agreed to facilitate a strategic partnership between the two sides by the networks the countries are building, including the EPA with the EU and membership in both COMESA and SADC;
- COMESA Fund. Mauritius invited Seychelles to join the COMESA Fund in order to build a strategic relationship between the two sides, as well as to benefit from regionalisation and globalisation initiatives underway;
- Regional Multidisciplinary Centre of Excellence. Seychelles requested the support of Mauritius to set up a University in Seychelles;
- Cooperation in the fisheries sector. Seychelles and Mauritius have agreed to urgently examine the impact of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations as well as the bilateral negotiations between the EU and the ASEAN countries.
It is also worth mentioning that Seychelles Minister for Foreign Affairs, Patrick Pillay underscored the fruitful exchange programmes in banking, education, social development, tourism and fisheries between Seychelles and Mauritius.
