New Turkish ambassador Sabutay Yüksel accredited |29 March 2023

Ambassador Yüksel presents his credentials to President Ramkalawan (Photo: Joena Meme)

• ‘Turkey wholeheartedly thanks people of Seychelles for their generosity’- Ambassador Yüksel

The newly accredited Turkish ambassador, Sabutay Yüksel, has officially thanked the people of Seychelles for their generous contribution following the earthquakes that badly hit 11 provinces and affected 12 million people in his country.

He made this declaration after presenting his credentials to President Wavel Ramkalawan yesterday morning at State House.

“We highly appreciate your support in this difficult time and Turkey will never forget your generous act towards us. Turkey and Seychelles have always had good relations and we even have a healthy trade between us. We exchanged on how to develop our bilateral relations in all fields including education, tourism, defense industry and other areas,” he said.

Ambassador Yüksel also updated the press about the condition of the country right now. “Right after the earthquakes, we had the floods but the Turkish government is working really hard. A great number of people was affected but there was a big solidarity among the Turkish people and the international fora. On May 14 there will be the election and construction of the buildings has already started.”

He also thanked the honorary consul general for the Republic of Turkey in Seychelles, Raja Ramani, for his prompt reactions to request for assistance.

« Mon remersye tou Seselwa pour zot sipor. Your country is a Paradise on earth – 49% from natural beauty and 51% made of beautiful Seychellois. The hospitality I received from the people of Seychelles» - concluded Ambassador Yüksel.

While in Seychelles, the new ambassador will also call on other local dignitaries including the Vice-President, the Speaker of the National Assembly, ministers, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and the chairman of the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by State House, said President Ramkalawan congratulated Ambassador Yüksel on his accreditation, which he said will enable the two countries to further enhance their bilateral relations in areas of mutual interest.

“Turkey is a key partner to Seychelles where trade is concerned. We have also good relations in direct airline connection, which I hope will increase its frequency during your tenure. Rest assured that you would receive all the support from my government so that we can further strengthen our trade cooperation and find new avenues of cooperation in various other fields for the betterment of our two countries,” said the Head of State.

President Ramkalawan also expressed his solidarity and that of the people of Seychelles to the people of Turkey following the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey.

The statement added that as part of efforts to bring the relations to new heights, the Head of State and Ambassador Yüksel further discussed different sectors where the two countries could collaborate such as in tourism, airport management, energy, health, and education, military and maritime security.

Turkey and Seychelles established diplomatic relations on June 22, 1995 and in 2021 the trade between the two countries yielded US $33 million.

Ambassador Yüksel will be based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Vidya Gappy