Mauritian minister briefs President Ramkalawan on week-long working visit   |09 February 2022

Minister Maudhoo in talks with President Ramkalawan (Photo: Louis Toussaint)

The Mauritian Minister for the Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping, Sudheer Maudhoo, yesterday held discussions with President Wavel Ramkalawan on the outcome of their week-long working visit to the country.

Minister Maudhoo, who was accompanied by the permanent secretary for Fisheries, Raj Kishore Bunjun and legal personnel Geerish Topsy Sonoo, was in the country since Friday 4, 2022 to re-negotiate the current ‘Sustainable Fishing Agreement’ between the two island nations which was signed on February 20, 2017 and will expire on February 20, 2022.

During the discussions, President Ramkalawan and Minister Maudoo also discussed the long standing relations and bilateral cooperation that exist between Mauritius and Seychelles.

After the meeting, Minister Maudoo said that they had a very cordial discussion with President Ramkalawan given the fact that both countries share common interests and historical links.

He noted that apart from discussing issues that could be tied through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), the meeting also gave them the opportunity to share ideas moving forward. One such idea, considered of paramount importance for the two island nations, is how to protect the youth from the harmful effects of drugs.

“Drugs are affecting the youths in both Mauritius and Seychelles and we have to put our heads together to see how we can fight against drugs which is causing havoc among our youths,” Minister Maudhoo said.

Also present at the meeting were the Designated Minister and Minister for Fisheries and the Blue Economy, Jean-François Ferrari and the honorary consul for Mauritius in Seychelles, Francis Chang Leng.

Patrick Joubert