New Swiss ambassador accredited |05 February 2020

Mr Sarott presents his credentials to President Faure (Photo: Thomas Meriton)

Chasper Sarott is the new ambassador of Switzerland to Seychelles after he presented his credentials to President Danny Faure yesterday morning at State House.

After his first contact with President Faure, Mr Sarott also paid a courtesy call on Vice-President Vincent Meriton.

He told members of the press afterwards that it was also an excellent opportunity to review the diplomatic ties that exist between Switzerland and Seychelles and discuss the various fields of cooperation between the two countries as well as explore other areas for possible collaboration.

Tourism, a field considered very important and on which both countries depend heavily, was also discussed at length by the two men and Mr Sarott expressed deep satisfaction that the number of Swiss nationals who visit Seychelles has continued to increase to around 16,000 every year and he expressed his optimism that this number will continue to grow now that there is a weekly direct flight from Zurich to Mahé.

Issues related to the health sector were also discussed as it is an area crucial to both countries but in which they have faced and are still facing various difficulties and challenges and the two countries discussed the possibility to have a health dialogue to share best practices in terms of policies and to learn from each other’s experiences.

The environment was another area which was discussed and Mr Sarott said Seychelles and Switzerland will next year celebrate 40 years of diplomatic ties so it would be good to explore other new areas of cooperation and why not culture.

“Why not have more cultural exchanges and celebrate the 40 years of our relations next year as this would be an excellent opportunity to boost relations in that area,” Mr Sarott highlighted.

On his first posting as ambassador, Mr Sarott who has until now occupied such positions as deputy ambassador to Lebanon and deputy head of mission to Poland, will be based in Antananarivo, Madagascar to which he is also ambassador together with the Comoros.

Mr Sarott replaces Philippe Brandt who was accredited in the position in January 2016.

Marie-Anne Lepathy