Australian HC to Seychelles pays courtesy call on Minister Radegonde |20 October 2021

Dr O’Shaughnessy in a souvenir photograph with Minister Radegonde and his team from the department of Foreign Affairs

The Minister for Foreign Affairs & Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde, welcomed the newly accredited Australian high commissioner to Seychelles, Dr Kate O’Shaughnessy, on Monday at the Maison Quéau de Quinssy.

Dr. O’Shaughnessy presented her credentials to President Wavel Ramkalawan yesterday in a ceremony at State House. She is the 16th Australian high

commissioner accredited to Seychelles.

In his opening statement, Minister Radegonde said that: “The relations between our two countries have always been excellent since and even before the establishment of relations.”

Minister Radegonde added that Australia is among the countries with the largest Seychellois diaspora in the world.

The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss various areas of cooperation in which the two nations have worked together over the years. Among these is education, for which Minister Radegonde expressed gratitude to the Australian government for its assistance in training a large number of Seychellois nationals over many years.

Furthermore, both diplomats emphasised the possibility of cooperating on various international platforms, such as the United Nations, on matters

concerning “vulnerability” caused by climate change and other factors that small island states, like Seychelles, face constantly.

Other topics discussed were the effects of Covid-19 in Seychelles, tourism, fisheries and agricultural sectors among others.

Also present at the meeting were, acting principal secretary, Ambassador Lalatiana Accouche; director general for Bilateral Affairs, Lindy Ernesta and first secretary, Wendy Isnard.

Seychelles and Australia established diplomatic relations in 1976.

Press release from the department of Foreign Affairs