Seychelles’ ambassador accredited to Switzerland |30 January 2016

Selby Pillay is Seychelles’ new ambassador to Switzerland, after presenting his credentials to the Federal President of the Swiss Confederation, Johann Schneider- Ammann, at a ceremony in the Federal Palace in Bern.

Ambassador Pillay conveyed President James Michel’s warm greetings and congratulations following President Schneider-Ammann’s assumption of office on January 1, 2016.

The Swiss president reciprocated and also conveyed his congratulations to President Michel following his victory in Seychelles’ presidential election last December.

President Schneider-Ammann expressed his desire to visit Seychelles and also praised Seychelles’ advocacy role at the COP21, as well as the state’s track record and efforts to combat climate change. 

The Swiss president also noted with interest to learn more of recent developments in the tourism and fisheries industries; and what would be Seychelles priority as a member of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, and how the Pacte linguistique was being implemented.

Ambassador Pillay took the opportunity to identify avenues of future mutually beneficial cooperation between both governments and the people of Switzerland. In particular, the possibility of Switzerland providing French instructors for local schools, an idea which President Schneider-Ammann was open to.   

During his accreditation visit Ambassador Pillay also had bilateral meetings with Ambassador Anne Lougon-Moulin, head of the Sub-Saharan Africa Division and Maurizio Salvatori, deputy regional director & desk officer for Seychelles, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador Pillay expressed his desire for collaboration between the University of Seychelles and institutions in Switzerland at Cantonal level, the need for a modernised air services agreement between the two nations, the need for a double taxation avoidance agreement and a targeted approach to increase tourism arrivals from Switzerland.