Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Seychelles Marie Charlotte G. Tang, with residence in Nairobi, presented her credentials to President Wavel Ramkalawan on 14 March 2023 in a ceremony held at the State House in Victoria, Seychelles’ capital.
During the tête-à-tête that followed the ceremony, Ambassador Tang conveyed the greetings of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to President Ramkalawan and the Seychellois people.
Touching on bilateral ties, she emphasized that as developing countries and archipelagic states, the Philippines and Seychelles have strong bases for cooperation, including on the environment and climate change.
She affirmed her commitment to working with the Seychellois Government in reviving key bilateral agreements that were put on hold during the pandemic. Ambassador Tang also informed President Ramkalawan of the Philippines’ desire to boost people-to-people relations with Seychelles, including by forging agreements on labor and cultural cooperation.
Seychelles is home to around 400 Filipino workers. Majority are working in the tuna processing sector, while others are in the tourism and other service sectors.
President Ramkalawan recognized the Filipino community as contributing to the Seychellois economy “in a big way”.
He also conveyed his government’s interest in expanding bilateral cooperation and its readiness to “move forward common agendas” with the Philippines.
Following her presentation of credentials, Ambassador Tang also met with Seychelles Vice President Ahmed Afif and other key officials of the Seychellois Government to discuss the advancement of bilateral ties and mutual interests.
Seychelles is a 115-island archipelago in the Indian Ocean. Being at the crossroads of the major maritime passages bridging Africa, Asia and Europe, it developed a unique Creole culture that blends influences from the three continents. The country's economy is heavily reliant on tourism and fisheries, with tuna being the main export product, along with swordfish, octopus, and prawns.
Seychelles is famous for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and diverse flora and fauna, which draw tourists from all over the world. Like the Philippines, Seychelles is also known for its commitment to sustainable development and environmental conservation.
The Philippines and Seychelles formally established diplomatic relations in 1987.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines.
Source: Apo-Opa
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