Annual diplomatic cocktail |28 February 2020

Vice-President Meriton and Ambassador Pino proposing a toast (Photo: Jude Morel)

Cuban ambassador is the new Dean of the diplomatic corps

Juan Humberto Macias Pino, Cuban ambassador to Seychelles, has been designated as the new Dean of the diplomatic corps and was welcomed in said post during the annual diplomatic cocktail hosted at the Savoy Resort & Spa yesterday evening.

Mr Pino replaces former Russian ambassador to the Seychelles Vladimir Belous following the latter’s recent departure.

The diplomatic cocktail reception is hosted annually in honour of the diplomatic and consular corps, serving as an opportunity for these foreign diplomats residing in Seychelles to engage with Seychellois dignitaries and staff of the department of foreign affairs.

The reception was also graced by the presence of President Danny Faure; Vice-President Vincent Meriton – who also holds the portfolio for foreign affairs; leader of government business in the National Assembly Charles De Commarmond; members of parliament and other government officials.

In Seychelles, the title of Dean of the diplomatic corps is given to the longest serving ambassador and with recent changes of foreign ambassadors serving the Seychelles, Mr Pino’s card came up to take on the role.

He was officially accredited to the Seychelles in December 2016.

In his speech yesterday, Mr Pino noted that although the Seychelles diplomatic corps is small, it is made up of very dedicated professionals who serve with great humility and perseverance.

Mr Pino further took the opportunity to hail his predecessor, Ambassador Belous, whom Mr Pino said took his role as Dean of the diplomatic corps very seriously and always looked for ways to bring forward matters of concern for the diplomatic corps and ensured unity between the diplomats.

As for his new capacity as Dean, Mr Pino said that he will take advantage of opportunities to bring common positions, ideas and proposals that may be viable in the context of Seychelles to the forefront.

These are especially in areas such as health, blue economy, climate change and maritime security.

“As diplomats, we must maintain the firm momentum in our open dialogues and exchanges of common ideas so that as a group and individually, we can defend and protect our interests for the benefit of all,” Mr Pino said while addressing his fellow colleagues.

“We have and will continue to work closely to address the issues relating to the socio-economic and political aspects of the country we are in, in this case, Seychelles and our home country.”

On his part Vice-President Meriton expressed that the diplomatic scene has seen an eventful last year and that the numbers of foreign envoys to the Seychelles as well as Seychellois diplomats keep on increasing.

In 2019 alone, Seychellois ambassadors have presented their credentials to 10 countries while a total of 28 foreign ambassadors have presented theirs to President Faure.

VP Meriton revealed that the Seychelles government last year further approved 12 demands for honorary consulates.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, Seychelles also witnessed the opening of the new embassy of Japan in Seychelles.

“Our foreign policy aims to promote Seychelles’ fundamental interests and core values while remaining aware of our position in the world, and recognising that our own national interests are best defended through both bilateral and multilateral approaches,” VP Meriton stated.

He stressed that Seychelles remains committed to issues such as tackling climate change, maritime security, human rights, peace as well as maintaining its blue economy leadership role on the global stage.

The speeches were followed by the less formal part of the reception wherein invitees were able to interact.

Elsie Pointe