Courtesy call by Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, on President Wavel Ramkalawan   |30 June 2022

Seychelles thanks UAE president for accepting invitation, bilateral relations reviewed

President Wavel Ramkalawan received the Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the United Arab Emirates, His Excellency Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, yesterday morning at State House.

Minister Shakhboot is the special guest for the Seychelles National Day celebrations representing His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates and Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

His Excellency Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan is the first Minister of State of the UAE to make an official visit to Seychelles under the new presidency of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The Seychelles government is thankful to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the third President of the UAE, for accepting this first official invitation to be part of the Seychelles National Day celebrations a month after succeeding his brother Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan who passed away on Friday May 13.

Although His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan could not be present, he is being represented by His Excellency Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

President Ramkalawan welcomed His Excellency Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan to Seychelles for the National Day celebration and during their meeting they reviewed the existing bilateral relations between the two countries. They further discussed how to enhance the strong partnership for the good of the two countries and their people.

On behalf of the country, President Ramkalawan conveyed his appreciation for the continuous support provided by the UAE government, during this challenging period.

“The bonds of friendship that exist between our two nations remain strong and it is based on mutual respect. May your visit here to Seychelles pave avenues for other bilateral cooperation that will further enhance our partnership,” said President Ramkalawan.

On his part, His Excellency Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan conveyed the personal greetings and message on behalf of the leader of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He congratulated the government of Seychelles on the occasion of its National Day and expressed how honoured he was to be here.  He reciprocated the interest of the UAE government to forge its relationship with Seychelles to new heights.

He was accompanied on this visit at the State House by the Chargé d’Affaires e.p. of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Seychelles, Ahmed Alneyadi, director in the Minister’s Office, Abdulrahman AlHebsi, and first secretary in the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Seychelles, Abdulla Alketbi.

Also present for the courtesy call yesterday morning were the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde, principal secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Vivianne Fock Tave,  director general of bilateral affairs division in the department of Foreign Affairs, Lindy Ernesta, and third secretary and desk officer for the UAE, Jean-Luc Louise.

Following the courtesy visit, the delegation proceeded to Salon Maritime, State House for further bilateral talks led by Minister Sylvestre Radegonde.

Press release from the Office of the President