Russia’s National Day commemorated |12 June 2021
Minister Radegonde and Ambassador Kozhin proposing a toast (Photo:Louis Toussaint)
On the occasion of the National Day of the Russian Federation, celebrated every June 12 since 1992, the Russian ambassador to Seychelles, Artyom Kozhin, yesterday hosted a special dinner at the Savoy Resort & Spa, Beau Vallon.
Present among the guests were President Wavel Ramkalawan, Vice-President Ahmed Afif, Speaker of the National Assembly Roger Mancienne, the President of the Court of Appeal Justice Anthony Fernando, ministers, members of the diplomatic corps and other distinguished guests.
Addressing the guests, Ambassador Kozhin said the day reflects the new page in the millennium-long history of his country which is a celebration of unity and effort of the Russian people towards steady development and continued progress.
He stated that this year is special for Russia and Seychelles ties as the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries established since June 30,1976 is fast approaching.
He added that 2021 also marks 140 years since the first contacts between the peoples of Russia and the Seychelles archipelago.
Ambassador Kozhin said Russia and Seychelles share similar approaches on most issues on the global agenda and one of the testimonies of such convergence of views was the signing of the Joint Declaration on No First of Weapon in Outer Space which was signed by foreign ministers on April 12, 2020 when the world was celebrating the 60th anniversary of Russian Yuri Gagarin’s flight to outer space.
“Our nations are still rediscovering each other. In this context it is quite symbolic that the Russian flag carrier Aeroflot returned to Seychelles, connecting Moscow and Victoria with a direct flight, providing citizens of both states with an opportunity to enjoy bilateral visa-free regime to the full extent,” Ambassador Kozhin said.
He added that Seychelles has always been a favoured destination among Russian tourists and it is no surprise that the number of Russian visitors coming to our shores are growing exponentially and assisting the revival of our countries’ tourism market and economy in general since the number of weekly flights by Aeroflot has increased from two to four flights per week.
With regard to assisting Seychelles in the fight against Covid-19, Ambassador Kozhin said Russia and Seychelles had been standing strong together in the past year to fight the pandemic.
He said Russia is proud to have participated in the vaccination campaign launched by President Ramkalawan through the donation of Sputnik V vaccines.
He noted that as the feedback from the health authority regarding the use of the vaccine is positive, Russia will assist our country again with supplies of the vaccine.
Ambassador Kozhin also highlighted the significant support of the Russian business community’s contributions towards the Covid-19 Relief Fund and he noted that for a long time Russian investors have been steadily present in Seychelles where they have participated in the development of the country, creating jobs and advancing bilateral economic cooperation.
“A vast field of opportunities for further deepening of our diverse bilateral partnership in such spheres as maritime security, blue economy, science and technology, lies ahead of us,” he concluded and toasted to the continued friendship between the two countries, the wellbeing and progress of the Seychellois people and to the health of President Ramkalawan as president of the country.
For his part on the auspicious occasion, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde, conveyed the cordial congratulations and warmest wishes of President Ramkalawan to His Excellency President Vladimir Putin, to the government and people of the Russian Federation for their continued well-being and prosperity.
“Over the past four decades, our relations have evolved and diversified to cover a wide range of sectors. The partnership between our two countries is a privileged one, a valued one. It works and has withstood the test of time because there is mutual trust and respect between us,” the minister said.
Minister Radegonde noted that the concerted and intensified efforts of the longstanding friendly relations and ties of cooperation, both bilateral and multilateral, between our two countries, as well as between our two ministries, will be further enhanced and bolstered in the coming years in the interest of our two peoples.
He stated that the resumption of direct flights from Moscow to Victoria by Aeroflot and the subsequent influx of Russian and other visitors to Seychelles have provided a much-needed boost to our flagging economy and bear concrete evidence of the longstanding friendly relations and ties of cooperation between our two countries.
He further stated that the donation of a thousand doses of the Sputnik V vaccines to our country shows Russian solidarity and engagement to curb this global pandemic.
Minister Radegonde hailed Russia’s commitment to building relations of strategic partnerships with pan-African organisations and regional integration associations, with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) being a case in point.
He said the global pandemic itself, to climate change, to resolving conflicts peacefully, to curbing the mindless arms race, can overcome them but it requires, more than ever, global cooperation, international solidarity, political will and dialogue in which Russia has a crucial role to play and we, small as we are, shall support her.
To conclude the minister invited everyone present to toast to the good health of His Excellency President Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation; to the prosperity and continued success of the government and people of the Russian Federation and to the lasting friendship between the Republic of Seychelles and the Russian Federation.
Patrick Joubert
