New Dutch ambassador calls on Minister Radegonde |05 May 2021

Ambassador Brouwer in a souvenir photograph with Minister Radegonde and his team at the Foreign Affairs department

The ambassador of The Netherlands to Seychelles, Maarten Brouwer, paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde, yesterday at the Maison Queau de Quinssy after presenting his credentials to President Wavel Ramkalawan at State House.

Minister Radegonde congratulated and welcomed the newly accredited ambassador at Maison Quéau de Quinssy.

Minister Radegonde highlighted the excellent bilateral relations between Seychelles and The Netherlands and emphasised that the country is grateful for the support received from The Netherlands throughout the years, particularly in the fight against piracy in the Indian Ocean.

On the multilateral relations, the minister recognised that both countries share similar views on topics such as climate change and environment related issues. “The Netherlands is also a small state, you understand the challenges that we face as small island states, and I know that we can work and support each other on these various issues where there is a need to,” stated Minister Radegonde.

On his part, Ambassador Brouwer thanked Minister Radegonde for the warm reception and extended his congratulations to the new principal secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Vivianne Fock-Tave, on her appointment. Ambassador Brouwer also saluted the high-level of professionalism of the staff of the Foreign Affairs department in the preparation of his visit and extended an invitation to nominate a diplomat for a training at the Clingendael Institute

(institute of research and training for diplomats) later this year.

Tourism and Covid-19 were among other topics discussed whereby Ambassador Brouwer extended his appreciation to the government and people of Seychelles for the support offered to their nationals, especially those who were affected by Covid-19.

Present at the meeting were PS Fock-Tave and senior officials of the Foreign Affairs department.

Seychelles and the Kingdom of The Netherlands established diplomatic relations in 1977.

Press release from the department of Foreign Affairs